Slovenia is about to enter its second month of its first ever EU presidency. The next one isn’t due for another fourteen years – provided that a) the system of a rotating presidency is still in effect and b) the EU still exists 😉 And after a month of running the show (on paper at least) Slovenia is sure making a mark.
The latest in what promises to be a long and distinguished line of gaffes includes a memo of consultations between the US State Department and Slovene Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the Americans outlined their foreign policy priorities and told their Slovenian counterparts what they think should be the next moves in areas such as Kosovo, Middle East, Central Asia, greenhouse gases and the rest of the usual frontpage content of the BBC News website on any given day.
The leaked document
This document was leaked to Dnevnik daily newspaper and the story was ran on the very same day UN Secretary General Bai Ki-Moon was on an official visit. The more rabid part of the left side of Slovenian political spectrum was immediately up in arms claiming it as yes another proof of this country being nothing more than a US pet or – as Nationalist party leader Zmago Jelinčič put it: Slovenia acts as if it is the 54th US state (where he found the missing two I’ll never know :)). The story was immediately picked up by Belgrade-based Politika newspaper and presented as proof of Slovenia being biased in favour of Kosovo and hostile to Serbia.
The Foreign ministry reacted rather calmly although it couldn’t resist slamming Dnevnik and Politika and acusing them of a coordinated move designed to tarnish Slovenia’s reputation. More energy was (and still is) spent on finding the source of the leak. The search failed to yield results, but did force Mitja Drobnič, a high ranking diplomat who led the Slovene delegation to resign.
But in reality this document (published by Delo website) is nothing special, although the whole brouhaha caught the international attention (txh, Adriaan!). If this was a US dictate it was bloody well-mannered. Plenty of if’s wolud-you’s, perhaps’s, could’s should’s and so forth. It is, however, a very revealing document. It shows that Slovenia – presiding over EU, remember? – has nothing to say over Middle East, Iran or Nagorno-Karabakh. The document also clearly shows that the US views Kosovo in terms of a larger realigning in geopolitics, especially in the Balkans. The US and Russia don’t really care about Kosovo and Serbia – they do, however care about influence in this part of the world.
If the US (or NATO in general) keeps its military, economic and political presence in the Balkans, then you have a continous line of friendly states spanning from Iraq to the UK and US across the ocean. It is basically a landline to Middle Eastern oil. Whereas Russia is obviously keen on preventing that and keeping a landline to the Mediterranean where it is increasing its naval presence. All in all things become much clearer if you just check a map.
But I digress – the leaked document only comfirms what we knew all along. The real question is, whether it was right for it to have been leaked. I think not. This document was in no way compromising Slovene position in the Balkans or impairing our sovereignity. It was a behind-the-scenes exchange between senior diplomats. The content is more or less harmless, but it shows that Slovenia does not know the true meaning of foreign policy.
Case in point being our Eternal Foreign Minister, who yesterday slammed Croatia for evading a ministerial tete-a-tete for almost a year now. Rupel even went as far as to say that the diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries were practically severed. Which might even be true – if we exaggerate a bit. But I was always under the impression that foreign policy was more comfortable with understatments and euphemisms than blunt speech. No wonder Rupel was deemed “abbrasive” by the International Herald Tribune The Economist. On the other end of the stick, Zagreb went positively apeshit over Rupel’s statement.
Now – I’m not the one to mince words either and I think Croatia has used up all its credit long ago, but there is a time and a place for such statements. And EU presidency is neither the time nor the place. And as long as Rupel heads Slovene diplomacy, documents will be leaked and a simple border dispute will not be solved. Dimitrij Rupel is a part of the problem and not a part of the solution.
And what does the ruling coalition in this country say? According to Jožef Jerovšek, head of parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee we should all rally behind our minister and everyone who does not do so is favouring Croatia over Slovenia. Call me Hrvoje.
Good post, but it wasn’t IHT to label Rupel as abrasive, it was The Economist: http://www.markobucik.eu/?p=113
And the rumor goes that he didn’t want to talk to anyone from the Economist for quite a while. Which for a Foreign Minister is, at least, odd.
“Slovenia acts as if it is the 54th US state (where he found the missing two I’ll never know :)).”
*cough* Canada and Britain *cough*
@Marko: Dully corrected. Thanks! BTW: Do you remember this statement? It was one for the books as well 🙂
@lisa: I thought Canada was a US state *wink wink*. But seriously – you’re probably right. Jelinčič was always quick with witticisms 😉
*cough* Israel *cough*
@abaris: Really? I thought it was the other way around 😈
So, is it “Sleeping with Hrvoje” now?
This post only, baby
Eternal Foreign Minister? How many years has Rupen been a minister of Foreign Affairs? Anyone keeping the records?
Pengovsky: Any words to the guy or guyette who has stolen the minutes and delivered them to the journalists and te Serbs? Do you think such person should continue to work in the public service? How do you comment that the same news found its place in Belgrade’s Politika? 🙂
@Karel: check here. Dimitrij Rupel has been named Foreign Minister a total of six times and will have served at this post a total of roughly 11 years and 8 months at the end of this government’s term. He was first appointed almost 18 years ago, which means that he held the post for more than two thirds of entire history of intependent Slovenia. The rest of it was split among five other ministers.
Regarding the person who leaked the memo (wether or not it was stolen or just mishanled is yet to be seen): I already wrote that in my opinion it shouldn’t have been done. And I’m sure that if they find out who did it, they’ll discipline him/her one way or another. And rightly so.
Politika newspaper: My initial comment is that apparently their Ljubljana corespondent can read Slovenian 🙂 You see, Politika has many editions during the day and as Dnevnik ran the story, apparently their corespondent saw it and wired it to Belgrade. Alternatively, the corespondent might have been tipped off by Dnevnik’s journalists. In either case I see nothing wrong with it.
I read a good post on Marko’s blog a few weeks back about the havoc that Rupel is wrecking. This man seems to be singlehandedly ruining (whatever miniscule) reputation Slovenia has on the national scene, not just with his inappropriate outbursts but also with his apparent unwillingness to check facts. Is there any possible chance that there will be a movement to push him out before he does any more damage?
@abaris – I’m sorry, I’m gonna have to agree with Pengovsky, erm, I mean, Hrvoje, on this one. I think it IS the other way around.
Why are you opposed to this leak? It’s difficult (maybe impossible) to infer in what manner or context the suggestions by Fried were made, but I see it as very newsworthy.
Oh, I’m not opposed to the story being published – if Dnevnik got their hands on it, it’s only natural that they published it as well.
I’m opposed to the fact that it was leaked to the press in the first place – it’s not as if this is the next Villnius statement. The only true effect of this leak is that foreign diplomats will be all the more reluctant to talk to their Slovene counterparst in a no-nonsense manner.
But you can’t expect the press to keep the face of a country’s diplomacy.
@abaris: Now really… would a US state dare name the Tel Aviv street running past the US Embassy after an Israeli spy convisted and serving time in the US? 😈 The other way around as P puts it does seem more like it.
The Politka aricle was written by Svetlana Vasović Mekina. Judging by this article, she is related (wife?) to Igor Mekina, who was the author of the original article in Dnevnik.
@camille&pengovsky On second thought, I agree with both of you. 😀
@Karel: IMO, whoever leaked the document should be fired on the spot and never allowed access to sensitive documents in this country.
@abaris: Hey, who knew! 😆 Keeping it all in family, are they?
Of course that doesn’t mean the issue is not newsworthy.
check here. Dimitrij Rupel has been named Foreign Minister a total of six times and will have served at this post a total of roughly 11 years and 8 months at the end of this government’s term. He was first appointed almost 18 years ago, which means that he held the post for more than two thirds of entire history of intependent Slovenia. The rest of it was split among five other ministers.
So “eternity” is for you 12 years? That’s a bit strange because I was under impression that eternity indicates time without beginning or end aka infinite time.
How would you then call Hans-Dietrich Genscher’s full eighteen years of Germany’s foreign minister, Cordell Hull’s 12 years in office as Secretary of State or the last but not at least Milan Kucan’s 16 years of presidency, not counting various other high ranking appointments he held in the Politburo since 1970s?
Can we consider them eternal as well?
Regarding the person who leaked the memo (wether or not it was stolen or just mishanled is yet to be seen): I already wrote that in my opinion it shouldn’t have been done. And I’m sure that if they find out who did it, they’ll discipline him/her one way or another. And rightly so.
There is only cure for such person: sack him/her.
Politika newspaper: My initial comment is that apparently their Ljubljana corespondent can read Slovenian 🙂 You see, Politika has many editions during the day and as Dnevnik ran the story, apparently their corespondent saw it and wired it to Belgrade. Alternatively, the corespondent might have been tipped off by Dnevnik’s journalists. In either case I see nothing wrong with it.
Who wrote the article for the Dnevnik? I checked and found there were three journalists: Borut Mekina, Meta Rogljic and Ales Gaube.
Who published the article in the Politika? Their correspondent from Ljubljana. Who is their correspondent in Ljubljana?
Mrs. Svetlana Vasović-Mekina.
Who is she?
Yes, Mr. Borut Mekina’s wife.
Next time please don’t come to us with cock-and-bull story. 😀
I guess this is how you the “real” professionals are doing. I am not suprised for Mekina. His family has a long tradition of professionalism.
dr. filomena: Just why would US State need to name a street after Pollard is beyond my imagination???
@Karel: IMO, whoever leaked the document should be fired on the spot and never allowed access to sensitive documents in this country.
I wholeheartedly agree!!
/Genscher:/ Can we consider them eternal as well?
In a sense, yes… I mean, Genscher quit his post because of health and Kohl was voted out of office. There are sublte differences (say, Rupel’s active involvment in toppling his first boss, Lojze Peterle and switching from Rop’s LDS to Janša’s SDS prior to 2004 elections)
I guess this is how you the “real” professionals are doing. I am not suprised for Mekina. His family has a long tradition of professionalism.
So I was actually right on both counts. Politika’s correspondent can read Slovenian and was tipped off by Dnevnik journalist. So – what’s the problem?
Relax, dude… Also, get a sense of humour – it’s on sale now as “pust” is around the corner. If I say Eternal Foreign Minister I of course mean that in a tongue-in-cheek manner. I mean, the guy’s been here for ages, especially in comparison to every other FM this country had. Plus he can switch parties faster then I can switch a blog-theme…
@Karel: I think you misunderstood me on the Israeli bit… See here: Pollard Square. I was misinformed about the location, though. Thought it was in Tel Aviv, but it is in fact in Jerusalem. I really should have known better, I was there at the time!
Don’t forget about the episode, when he tried to vodušek-ize Ervin Hladnik Milharičič into submission.
In a sense, yes… I mean, Genscher quit his post because of health and Kohl was voted out of office.
You have just explained that they were not (eternity = time without beginning or end). I thought that with your democratic principles you should know that people elect the government and the prime minister selects his team.
There are sublte differences (say, Rupel’s active involvment in toppling his first boss, Lojze Peterle and switching from Rop’s LDS to Janša’s SDS prior to 2004 elections)
Why is switching from Rop’s LDS to Jansa’s SDS so damn problematic for you?
Because he switched BEFORE the elections or because he switched to the Prince of Darkness? If it is the first I don’t see why should this be a problem for there are many cases in the history of European politics, where you have cases when some prominent politicians who didn’t agree with this or that policy joined the party whose values were much closer to them. It is politically much more healthy than switching the camp AFTER the elections if you ask me, using your party and then abandonding it.
As for toppling Peterle… It was not just his project… It was his entire party which stabbed Peterle in the back. This includes all of his party comrades of that time who led the Slovenian Democrats – that self-witty idiot France Bucar, Igor Bavcar, Jelko Kacin and of course the indefatigable Spomenka Hribar.
2004 switch: I would do the same in his place. Who sane man would want to stay with that incompetent brute Rop? Drnovsek and he could not even agree on who is going to sign the Athens treaty, so they quarreled there like two little children in a sandbox. Embarassing….
So I was actually right on both counts. Politika’s correspondent can read Slovenian and was tipped off by Dnevnik journalist. So – what’s the problem?
I don’t like Stein Viksveens’.
Relax, dude… Also, get a sense of humour – it’s on sale now as “pust” is around the corner.
You mean “your” kind of humour?! 🙂
….especially in comparison to every other FM this country had.
Why have other Slovenian FMs lasted so little time?
Plus he can switch parties faster then I can switch a blog-theme
How many parties did he change? I found only one. He switched from LDS to SDS in 2004. Remind us about other “switches”, please.
I agree on almost everything, Hrvoje, but I think the news was so irrelevant for Slovenia itself, that every Slovenian journalist should only wave with his hand and say this is not to be published.
The reaction of all serious Slovenian politicians was that way. To find out who gave Dnevnik the document you have to consider who could have benefit from this news. As we saw, the opposition had no benefit – this opens the consideration that the “Reichstag on fire” could be the case! In fact at the same time Dnevnik got same benefits in Čateške toplice, could it be that it was some deal between Dnevnik and the government? I don’t yet understand why, time will show!
You have just explained that they were not (eternity = time without beginning or end). I thought that with your democratic principles you should know that people elect the government and the prime minister selects his team.
Hey, if you want to be anal retentive over this, I’m game… In Slovenia people don’t elect the government. They elect the parliament which in turn elect the prime minister, who then proposes the cabinet and the entire team is then again approved by the parliament. But seriously, Karel – give it a rest.
Why is switching from Rop’s LDS to Jansa’s SDS so damn problematic for you?
Oh, it’s not problematic at all – its just a show of character.
2004 switch: I would do the same in his place.
You? In all honesty – I could never picture you being a member of LDS 😆
Who sane man would want to stay with that incompetent brute Rop?
As opposed to that incompetent brute Rupel?
As for toppling Peterle… It was not just his project… It was his entire party which stabbed Peterle in the back. This includes all of his party comrades of that time who led the Slovenian Democrats – that self-witty idiot France Bucar, Igor Bavcar, Jelko Kacin and of course the indefatigable Spomenka Hribar.
…and – last but cetainly not least – Janez Janša. Let us not forget that small detail. And the fact that it was Rupel’s entire party who stabbed Peterle doesn’t make Rupel any less guitly.
I don’t like Stein Viksveens
So now everyone who doesn’t think the same way as you and Rupel do is a spy and a traitor? Grow up! And let’s hope that it doesn’t turn out that there really was a spy at the foreign ministry – but working for the other side.
You mean “your” kind of humour?!
Is there any other kind? 😉
Why have other Slovenian FMs lasted so little time?
You tell me – you and Rupel seem to be on a similar wavelenght.
How many parties did he change? I found only one. He switched from LDS to SDS in 2004. Remind us about other “switches”, please.
Let’s see… Slovene Democratic Union, which then disintegrates (party because of Peterle’s toppling), becoming a member of Democrats, which again split as half of the party (Rupel included) enters the LDS, and now he is the proud member of SDS. Enough?
@Davor: Replying to Karel, a thought has occured to me that perhaps the whole thing was a plant…. But in all honesty, I think that it was a disgruntled employee or something similar.
Hey, if you want to be anal retentive over this, I’m game… In Slovenia people don’t elect the government. They elect the parliament which in turn elect the prime minister, who then proposes the cabinet and the entire team is then again approved by the parliament. But seriously, Karel – give it a rest.
Prime Minister is the first among the Ministers. Ministers are elected by Members of Parliament. Members of parliament are the Representatives of the People. So what’s your problem? Would you prefer Kardelj’s delegate system? 🙂
Oh, it’s not problematic at all – its just a show of character.
Problem of who? The person or the party he left? Later events in the party proved he was wrong. Others left too. So what’s your point?
You? In all honesty – I could never picture you being a member of LDS
Thanks.:) You can calm down. I have never been a member of any Slovene political party, what alone the LDS. I never was much of a supporter of Hochstaplertum.
As opposed to that incompetent brute Rupel?
Rupel will still need many years of blundering to reach Rop’s shows. 🙂
…and – last but cetainly not least – Janez Janša. Let us not forget that small detail. And the fact that it was Rupel’s entire party who stabbed Peterle doesn’t make Rupel any less guitly.
I agree. But it is still not just his own decision like you are trying to show. What role did Jansa’s small party play in toppling the Peterle’s government?
So now everyone who doesn’t think the same way as you and Rupel do is a spy and a traitor? Grow up! And let’s hope that it doesn’t turn out that there really was a spy at the foreign ministry – but working for the other side.
It depends what you think by this. If you mean the Kosovo crisis then I don’t care. I have no interest in Kosovo and franklly don’t care what it is going to happen there.
However, if you refer to the stealing of secret government papers and their eventual distribution (selling?!?) to the foreign press correspondents in Ljubljana than hell yes… This is something what is totally unacceptable in my world.
If in your world is different than please give us your address and we will pay you a visit. In the night. 🙂
Is there any other kind?
Yes. 🙂
You tell me – you and Rupel seem to be on a similar wavelenght.
Only in your head and your world. I just dislike unchained dogs who are barking at the empty tree but don’t know or can’t remember why.
Let’s see… Slovene Democratic Union, which then disintegrates (party because of Peterle’s toppling), becoming a member of Democrats, which again split as half of the party (Rupel included) enters the LDS, and now he is the proud member of SDS. Enough?
I read your short resume of Rupel’s alleged party switching and again found only one switching. That one in 2004.
He didn’t switch from Slovene Democratic Union into the Slovene Democrats (the party split into several groups) nor he didn’t switch from the Slovene Democrats to LDS but his party merged with the LDS. So he did not switch but merge. He always was in the group of Slovene Democrats, so it is no suprise that he chose to go to the Slovene Democratic Party, especially since LDS drastically changed its policy (if it ever had one) from centrist to radically left-wing.
@KarelHowever, if you refer to the stealing of secret government papers and their eventual distribution (selling?!?) to the foreign press correspondents in Ljubljana than hell yes… This is something what is totally unacceptable in my world.
Did this happen in Ljubljana for the first time?
Prime Minister is the first among the Ministers. Ministers are elected by Members of Parliament. Members of parliament are the Representatives of the People. So what’s your problem? Would you prefer Kardelj’s delegate system?
I’ve no problem – I’m more than familiar with constitutional relations between various branches of power. Unlike you, it seems
Later events in the party proved he was wrong. Others left too. So what’s your point?
Yes, he was wrong 😉 My point is that he’s a turncoat and a backstabber.
What role did Jansa’s small party play in toppling the Peterle’s government?
As you no doubt remember, Janša was the almighty defence minister at the time. And the decision to remove Peterle from power was reached between him and Bavčar, with Rupel willingly participating. And – again – I’m trying to show that he’ll walk all over people just to promote himself.
It depends what you think by this
Actually I meant neither… But nevermind… Time will tell whether what I hear is correct
I just dislike unchained dogs who are barking at the empty tree but don’t know or can’t remember why.
Ah, a self-image problem… Sorry, can’t help you there. I’m waaay to pleased with myself right now
So he did not switch but merge
Depends on how you look at it. One man’s merger is another man’s sellout.
Karel, Karel, I might even agree with you, that Pengovsky’s is not only kind of humour around, but what you displayed up there surely shows yours in nonexistant. I mean the most feeble minded reader of this blog (I’m not speaking in your name of course)KNOWS that Rupel is not REALLY eternal. You know, nothing is, not even this Earth not even the universe and, last but not least, not even Slovenia (although this might come as a blow to some nationalistic zealots). So saying “the etrnal minister” is a sarcastic and really funny expression for a guy that wouldn’t let go of his office. You know Karel, when I say I’ve got “tons of work” I don’t ACTUALLY have TONS, say that I have a whole book to read it is still just a couple of decagrammes, maybe even a kilo, but never a ton. You know what I’m saying? Because your explanations about eternity must have struck all the readers here as very amusing (but not witty, mind that).So honestly, you need to relax and get some sense of humour even if it isn’t Pengovsky’s kind.
A proof even Germany has to put up with American “wishes” HERE.
Davor:
Did this happen in Ljubljana for the first time?
To my knowledge this are the first secret diplomatic minutes that have come out publicly. God only knows how many of them have Mekina and his wife got under the table… It seems that some in this country still like the pilgrimage to Belgrade.
I’ve no problem – I’m more than familiar with constitutional relations between various branches of power. Unlike you, it seems.
Ja, ja… whatever…. 😀
Yes, he was wrong. My point is that he’s a turncoat and a backstabber.
My Godness Grace! He is a politician not a saint. I wonder if any of these things bothered you with Milan Kucan who also transfered himself over the night into the champion of human rights protection and democracy in Slovenia. Not to mention his history of backstabbing from 1970s. Probably too young to remember, eh? 🙂
As you no doubt remember, Janša was the almighty defence minister at the time. And the decision to remove Peterle from power was reached between him and Bavčar, with Rupel willingly participating. And – again – I’m trying to show that he’ll walk all over people just to promote himself.
This is the first time I hear about this agreement between Bavcar (?) and Jansa (?). I don’t know what almighty minister of defence you are speaking of. He only existed in the mind of some scrupolous journalists who were well paid and well supported to publish mythology about various coup d’etats and other cock and bull stories, which were well served for idiots. Jansa’s real power came after Depala vas, when the ranks of his before tiny party tripled with new members.
To promote himself? Can you name me a politician in Slovenia (or elsewhere) who is not at this or that stage promoting himself?
Sorry, can’t help you there. I’m waaay to pleased with myself right now…
Woot? No government censorship in your “casa”? Aye, aye…
Depends on how you look at it. One man’s merger is another man’s sellout.
Funny, but these are almost exact words I heard many years ago. They came from the mouth of a party chairman in our town.
Luka: There is nothing more pathetic than when other guys and guyettes are trying to to tell you that you have to laugh to their sarkastic and “very funny” jokes. So my dear Luka, take a chill pill. You are boring. 🙂
To my knowledge this are the first secret diplomatic minutes that have come out publicly.
Actually, the document wasn’t classified.
My Godness Grace! He is a politician not a saint. I wonder if any of these things bothered you with Milan Kucan who also transfered himself over the night into the champion of human rights protection and democracy in Slovenia.
So how does this relate to Rupel? If Kučan did it, so can Rupel? You see, that’s the problem with you lot… You seem to think that if the other side did it, so can you. The other side was voted out of office precisely because they did it and yet you seem more than willing to follow their example.
This is the first time I hear about this agreement between Bavcar (?) and Jansa (?).
It says so in “Osamosvojitev Slovenije” a book by Rosvita Pesek. Given the fact that the book is basicaly her Ph.D.republished, I’d consider it a valid source.
To promote himself? Can you name me a politician in Slovenia (or elsewhere) who is not at this or that stage promoting himself?
I don’t have a problem with politicians promoting themselves, but I do have a problem when they walk all over other people to do it.
Woot? No government censorship in your “casa”? Aye, aye…
Actually, no – there were a few minor attempts couple of years ago, but we took care of that….
Funny, but these are almost exact words I heard many years ago. They came from the mouth of a party chairman in our town.
Well, it’s true 😀
Oh, and please don’t be rude to other people who comment on this blog – you can say what you like to me, but choose your words carefully. Luka did and so should you.
Karel are you a member of SDS? seriously asking…
Actually, the document wasn’t classified.
All diplomatic correspondence is classified. Everyone who works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should and must know this. I also carry lots of business papers, which don’t have a stamp on but we all know that we cannot just bring it to our competition to have a free look.
So how does this relate to Rupel? If Kučan did it, so can Rupel? You see, that’s the problem with you lot… You seem to think that if the other side did it, so can you. The other side was voted out of office precisely because they did it and yet you seem more than willing to follow their example.
Precisely. I haven’t heard, seen or read any comments by anyone, least alone by you, about how many politicians from LDS, SD and now ZARES have proved to be turncoats and back-stabbed people in the past? Drnovsek’s government ruled her mandate with Pucko and nobody much cared about this, the least by the members of the media corps. On the controrary – some applauded and praised this as a master move by “brilliant tactician” Janez Drnovsek.
How many of you raised the question of credibility of at least two LDS MPs from previous mandate (Maks Lavrinc or Richard Beuermann) who used to be agents of the political state police in the previous regime?
Sorry, but it looks to me like some are allowed to do everything, while the rest of the so-called lot should just sit put and obey like before 1990.
It seems to me that their dark past histories are never put under the loop. Otherwise we wouldn’t have Mr. Potrc lecturing us about democracy, social-democracy and human rights violations. Another turncoat, eh?!
Either you treat both of them with the same approach or none.
…but I do have a problem when they walk all over other people to do it.
So which politician is then made by your standards, i.e. not walking over other people? Jankovic? Jazbinsek? Bajuk? Drnovsek? Kucan? Setinc?
It says so in “Osamosvojitev Slovenije” a book by Rosvita Pesek. Given the fact that the book is basicaly her Ph.D. republished, I’d consider it a valid source.
Thanks for the tip. This would explain why Peterle left out Jansa in 1994. 🙂
Actually, no – there were a few minor attempts couple of years ago, but we took care of that….
How? 🙂
Well, it’s true
That’s what he thought too.
Oh, and please don’t be rude to other people who comment on this blog – you can say what you like to me, but choose your words carefully. Luka did and so should you.
I always do this. I did not use any offensive words to Luka. However, I don’t allow other people to tell me what I have and what I don’t have or what kind of humour should we all laugh and what not. Maybe these cheap old tricks worked in 1980s when we all had to applaud, but I did not see anything spectacularly funny in your word eternal.
But of course if you like I can play sarcasm as well.
Rollo tomassi: Karel are you a member of SDS? seriously asking
It is remakrable how some (narrow-minded??) people with whose cherished political views or opinions you don’t always agree like to put you in this or that party. Some people find it impossible to imagine that there are people in this country who are not hatched by any political parties. It’s like the old times. If you were not in any of the social-political-avantgarde organizations you were immediately labelled for a counter-revolutionary.
To cut myself short here: I already “seriously” replied to this in my reply on January 31st, 2008 at 11:41 pm. You just need to read.
Speaking of narrow-mindedness: is it really so difficult for you to accept that there are people in this country that profess leftist ideas, and don’t (and wont) have anything to do with a certain non-eternal part of Slovene history?
hmm…remarkable indeed. I asked u a simple question, you could give me an simple answer, but cause I’m narrow-minded you wrote me an essay, right? jesus….
@Karel:
me: So how does this relate to Rupel? If Kučan did it, so can Rupel? You see, that’s the problem with you lot… You seem to think that if the other side did it, so can you. The other side was voted out of office precisely because they did it and yet you seem more than willing to follow their example.
Karel: Precisely. I haven’t heard, seen or read any comments by anyone, least alone by you, about how many politicians from LDS, SD and now ZARES have proved to be turncoats and back-stabbed people in the past?
I rest my case. And read this before you proceed any further.
So which politician is then made by your standards
Jazby is kinda cool… A bit nuts, but cool… 😆
I always do this. I did not use any offensive words to Luka.
You called him boring in a condescending manner. I will not have that. I’ve no objection to a heated debate, but if you can take the time to construct an argument against me you can at least try to extend the same courtesy to other people who visit this blog.
@Cornelius: brilliant argument, but unfortunaltely the answer is clear.
@Pengovsky: thanks for the kind thoughts, but honestly don’t feel obliged to defend my wretched person … I mean you have many readers on this blog and if one of them thought I wasn’t funny enough I could still consider the joke succesful, right? After all, you can’t really blame him, since it was actually on his account.
@Karel: “There is nothing more pathetic than when other guys and guyettes are trying to to tell you that you have to laugh to their sarkastic and “very funny” jokes”.
I hate to point that out, but you misunderstood again (seems a sort of pattern already). I was never telling you to laugh at MY sarcastic and “very funny” joke, on the contrary, I was implying you should laugh at Pengovsky’s joke about Rupel while simultaneously making a new sarcastic joke. You obviously failed to laugh at both so I will, like Pengovsky, rest my case and try to amuse other people. Take care.
Cornelius: I have nothing against such people. The only problem is that I am still searching for people with leftist ideas and manners in Slovenia. They seem to be virtually non-existing.
Rollo Tomassi: You asked the question in “a condescending manner”. Essay? Hardly… I only write essays when questions are intelligent. Yours was obviously not. It is just that I was expecting such a stupid question to appear any moment. No offense taken, I hope. 🙂
Pengovsky: I rest my case. And read this before you proceed any further
Ha Ha Ha! You even got Golobic on the stage. Congratulations. Part of me actually wants that Golobic and his goonies would come back to the power, because nothing will give me better pleasure than watching the behaviour of the Slovenian journalist corps. I hope you are not going to be our Lion Feuchtwanger.
But what about the rest of the political parties? SD and LDS?
You called him boring in a condescending manner.
One can actually call someone boring in a condescending manner? Does that mean that there also exist the term calling someone humourless in a condescending manner?
Perhaps I was just playing a sarcastic joke on his behlf? Afterall who knows perhaps he is joyfully boring. Boringly “nice”. 😀
Luka: I know what you meant. You tried to patronize me. I hate that. Sssmesh…
as pengovsky I too rest my case; unfortunately i’m not intelligent enough for Karel..so be it.
Everything that needed to be proven was proven. Anything beyond that is only a rationalisation of unacceptable behaviour.