In 1988 the army tried to put a stop to this process of political democratisation in Slovenia, contemplating at one point even outright intervention. They arrested three Mladina journalists (one of whom was Janez Jansa, Slovenia's current Minister of Defence) and an army sergeant, on the grounds that they had stolen a secret military document. the trial of the four led to a mass mobilisation of the Slovene population in defence region economically, socially and politically. It could take resources from the richer areas to ensure a more even economic development of the poorer parts. But since the development of the economic crisis this material basis for the federation could not be sustained. On the other hand I think some form of confederation would be a rational option - a confederation of sovereign states. Yugoslavia, the old Yugoslavia, is dead. No. 6 A socialist perspective Speaker: Branka Magas (New Left Review)
(nearest tube Holborn) Organised by the Socialist Society and the Socialist Movement July 20, 1991
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