On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 1989 events, Združenje Sever organised a consultation of experts in the National Council on 26 November 2009 in order to comprehensively highlight Operation Sever in the light of the social, political and security situation in Slovenia's and Yugoslavia's society of that time.
In her introductory address, the Minister of the Interior, Ms Katarina Kresal, emphasised the active involvement of the members of internal affairs bodies in democratisation processes in Slovenia, displaying "determination and resolve to prevent the intentions of the rally policy to destabilise the authorities of the Slovenian Republic and to declare a state of emergency". In the Minister's words, the level-headed approach of members of internal affairs bodies played an exceptionally important role in the situation at that time. "The level of qualifications, expertise and ethical standards justly resulted in an enhanced reputation and regained trust of members of the police enjoyed among Slovenian inhabitants, and at the same time pointed to the vision Slovenia was to embrace in the future."
Minister of the Interior Katarina Kresal
An introductory address at the consultation was given by Mr Blaž Kavčič, President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. He said we should be proud of the historical role of the Slovenian Police in effectively and highly professionally contributing to our independent, internationally recognised, and, above all, secure state of eighteen years.
Blaž Kavčič
Milan Horvat
In the words of Mr Milan Horvat, President of the Sever Association of Police Veterans Societies, 1 December 1989 was also a landmark in the minds of all policemen and most Slovenes when they realised that Slovenia intended to go through with its democratic processes.
Dr Gorazd Meško
The consultation was facilitated by Dr Gorazd Meško, Dean of the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security of the University of Maribor, who stated that this consultation would contribute greatly to shedding light on the events of that time and would provide a basis for further research into this significant period in Slovenia's recent history, and that efforts were being made to add the relevant subject matter to the teaching curriculum in order to put the events of that time into proper perspective.
The purpose of the consultation was to present the events from twenty years ago at an appropriate level, in a comprehensive and appropriate manner, as pointed out by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Marjan Antončič. The papers presented by individual consultation participants will be published in the consultation proceedings to be issued by the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security as part of the magazine Varstvoslovje (3000 issues).