(Despite that, though, I have been really obsessed with Ljubljana for the past, oh, six months. Not Zagreb, or Dubrovnik, or Belgrade, or any other city where I might actually know some of the language or have friends. Don't know why. Thanks for the diary.)
Yes, the Strojan family's expulsion shows that Slovenia isn't without that racist ugliness either. I note though top-level action unlike in most of these other countries:
Saturday's events in Ambrus conserning Strojan Roma family « Borut Peterlin in a rabbit hole of photography
On_Saturday president Drnovšek tried to bring two trailers to Strojan family, but Local people from Ambrus and Dečja vas made a barricade and even president Drnovšek was helpless. On the end Drnovšek left with words that their Christianity is only in their words and not at all in their actions. The record of this really shamefull event you can find it on RTV SLO 23.12.2006 on the news Dnevnik. Click on RTV SLO, then avdio/video, then arhiv, then Dnevnik and then find Dnevnik 23.12.2006. [Read more on the Strojans' case here]
[Read more on the Strojans' case here]
the "erased" Yugoslav citizens
Yes, should've mentioned that, though it compares more to the Czech stateless Roma situation than what Croatia et al did -- especially as the Slovenian version also hit primarily Roma people. But if the government changes this year, expect this to be solved: Borut Pahor vowed so, and I don't think the liberals would be opposed. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
it compares more to the Czech stateless Roma situation than what Croatia et al did
Oh, I didn't mean to say it was worse than the ethnic cleansing in other areas (didn't intend that, really). But it struck me as hypocritical as they moved toward the EU and emphasized how they avoided the bloodshed that occurred elsewhere. Yes, they avoided it, but they still ended up essentially trying to force non-Slovenians out. Like those who've been bullied will tell you, being totally ostracized is only slightly better than being punched in the gut.
But if the government changes this year, expect this to be solved: Borut Pahor vowed so, and I don't think the liberals would be opposed.
I hope it gets solved!!!!! I know that in the past there had been government intervention, but then citizens voted to deny residency rights (argh!). It's been a sore spot with me, because I too was proud of Slovenia for not descending into chaos, but then this happens.
Odd thought forming: As more of the ex-Yu republics join the EU, more will become eligible to eventually join the Schengen zone, meaning people would be able to travel between the republics like they did when they were all part of the same country. So after all the fighting, you could conceivably see them "rejoined" in a way....
they still ended up essentially trying to force non-Slovenians out
Well, some non-Slovenians. Not that plain racism would be better (it's worse), but the situation of ethnic minorities other than Roma and Serb is much better than elsewhere. Say, language use in official situations, inluding village name tables in different languages has been an issue all across the region, even in Austria, but not in Slovenia.
On the referendum: I did remember the issue vaguely, but I was a bit incredulous and had to check. I find (1) the 3 April 2004 referendum was non-binding, (2) participation was a mere 31%, (3) that after opponents called for a boycott. (Still, sadly I suspect they could well have had a - narrow - majority had there been no boycott, I found reports of late 2003 - early 2004 polls on the issue.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
