Slovenian businessmen again warn on Kosovo

Influential Slovenian manager Matjaz Gantar is wary of Slovenia’s “pack instinct” in its politicy towards Kosovo. The co-owner of the Slovenian KD Group writes in his column in Slovenian magazine Finance, said that Slovenia should not rush to recognize Kosovo’s unilateral independence proclamation as soon as the United States and majority of the European Union decides to do so. Slovenian businessmen again warn on Kosovo “Just so there is no confusion, human rights and the fight for peace should be the priority above individual and cheap interests,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia is a sovereign country and that it has the right to its own interests and to lead its own foreign politicy. “Even if Serbia bows in the end and we all become one, big happy family, I think that Serbia will not forget how individual countries acted towards her regarding this question,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia should be reminded that the Serbs are great friends of the Slovenians and have been for the last 100 years. He added that Slovenia built two countries side by side with Serbia in the last century, and that it was via these states, in the end, that it gained its sovereignty. Gantar was referring to the kingdom and subsequently the republic of Yugoslavia. He also said that the recognition of Kosovo could make official new practices which could be detrimental to Slovenia is several decades, adding that this is why many countries are opposed to Kosovo’s independence. “Maybe one day we will need supporters when our western borders are being discussed...at that time Serbia, and maybe Russia, will without a doubt remember our behavior. The memory of a country is not as short as the memory of a person,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia needs to avoid the role of Brutus in this situation. “If Caesar falls, it would be better to be the last to stick a knife in his body, if it is at all necessary. I think that it is completely unnecessary to stab a dead body and share the blame with your blade, which the near and distant relatives of the murdered person will not forget easily. Revenge will follow, as it is a confirmed custom throughout history,” Gantar said. “In this Balkan game I would rather pick old friendship and a couple more factories, then a command to follow orders by the ‘big boys,’ some of which do not even know where Slovenia is located,” Gantar said, in reference to the western powers. Several days ago, some 1,100 Slovenian businessmen signed a letter sent to their government, urging them "not to hurry with recognizing Kosovo".

Slovenian businessmen again warn on Kosovo

“Just so there is no confusion, human rights and the fight for peace should be the priority above individual and cheap interests,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia is a sovereign country and that it has the right to its own interests and to lead its own foreign politicy.

“Even if Serbia bows in the end and we all become one, big happy family, I think that Serbia will not forget how individual countries acted towards her regarding this question,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia should be reminded that the Serbs are great friends of the Slovenians and have been for the last 100 years.

He added that Slovenia built two countries side by side with Serbia in the last century, and that it was via these states, in the end, that it gained its sovereignty.

Gantar was referring to the kingdom and subsequently the republic of Yugoslavia.

He also said that the recognition of Kosovo could make official new practices which could be detrimental to Slovenia is several decades, adding that this is why many countries are opposed to Kosovo’s independence.

“Maybe one day we will need supporters when our western borders are being discussed...at that time Serbia, and maybe Russia, will without a doubt remember our behavior. The memory of a country is not as short as the memory of a person,” Gantar said, adding that Slovenia needs to avoid the role of Brutus in this situation.

“If Caesar falls, it would be better to be the last to stick a knife in his body, if it is at all necessary. I think that it is completely unnecessary to stab a dead body and share the blame with your blade, which the near and distant relatives of the murdered person will not forget easily. Revenge will follow, as it is a confirmed custom throughout history,” Gantar said.

“In this Balkan game I would rather pick old friendship and a couple more factories, then a command to follow orders by the ‘big boys,’ some of which do not even know where Slovenia is located,” Gantar said, in reference to the western powers.

Several days ago, some 1,100 Slovenian businessmen signed a letter sent to their government, urging them "not to hurry with recognizing Kosovo".