This dyad belongs to the conflict Serbia (Yugoslavia): Slovenia
Summary of conflict Serbia (Yugoslavia): Slovenia
In June 1991, the Republic of Slovenia became the first to secede from the Yugoslavian state. Fighting between the Yugoslavian army and the Slovenian territorial defence force erupted shortly afterwards. International mediation was launched almost immediately and eventually led to the signing of the Brioni peace agreement. Despite problems with the implementation, the conflict did not resume and Slovenia became an independent state in 1992.
Background to the conflict
Up to the 1990s, the Yugoslavian state consisted of six republics. The secession of the Republic of Slovenia in 1991 officially triggered the disintegration of Yugoslavia. The Slovenian republic, almost exclusively populated by Slovenes, was traditionally one of the richest of the Yugoslavian republics. Slovenia’s dissatisfaction with the distribution of the Yugoslavian state funds increased in the 1980s, when a period of economic decline began in the region. A number of other factors that prepared the ground for the dismantling of Yugoslavia could be observed in this decade. Yugoslavia’s unifying leader, Tito, died in 1980. Around the same time, growing demands for political independence and nationalistic/ethnic awareness could be noticed in several European countries. As a consequence of the end of the communist rule, free multiparty elections opened up possibilities for nationalistic politicians to compete for power.
When Slovenia’s growing secessionist ambitions were becoming apparent, the federal Yugoslavian government was already in a weak position. The government, consisting of representatives from the six republics, found itself in a new political environment and faced increasing antagonism between the different republics. The Yugoslavian government did not approve of a sovereign Slovenian state but wanted to keep the Republic of Slovenia within the Yugoslavian borders. The matter of dispute between the Yugoslavian leadership and Slovenian officials was, thus, the constitutional status of the Slovenian territory.
Contested declaration of independence in 1991 sparks armed conflict
Already in September 1989, the Republic of Slovenia voted to adopt amendments to its constitution, affirming its sovereignty and its right to secede from Yugoslavia. After having won the first multiparty republican elections in April-May 1990, the pro-independence leader Milan Kucan began moving Slovenia in the direction of complete independence. On 25 June 1991, he declared Slovenia to be an independent state. Within a few days, JNA (the Yugoslav National Army) units stationed in Slovenia were mobilised on full combat alert. When frontier crossings were taken by JNA, the Slovenes struck back. A number of JNA helicopters were shot down on the first day of the armed conflict, resulting in several casualties.
The course of the conflict was rapid. On 27 June, JNA attacked the Republic of Slovenia. With the exception of a short ceasefire, the clashes lasted until 4 July. By then, 47 JNA soldiers and six Slovenian soldiers had died in battle. The Slovenian territorial defence force was inferior in terms of the number of soldiers. However, the Slovenes were highly motivated, and successfully employed guerrilla tactics. As for the Yugoslavian government, it seemed at times unclear whether it controlled JNA officers and whether it had authorised JNA to use force or not.
International mediation and the signing of Brioni peace agreement
Internationally facilitated negotiations were initiated already in the first days of the conflict. On 28 June, EC representatives met separately with Yugoslav federal leaders and then with Slovenian officials. The next day, the Yugoslav Prime Minister Ante Markovic met with the President of the Slovenian Republic, Milan Kucan. An agreement that JNA troops should return to their barracks was reached (but not respected). The warring parties met again for negotiations on 2 July. These talks resulted in a ceasefire and the conflict subsequently de-escalated. On 7 July, the EC-chaired negotiations continued. The meeting laid the foundation for the Brioni peace agreement.
The agreement, which was signed on 12 July, provided for an immediate cessation of the hostilities. The ceasefire was to be monitored by 50 European observers. Furthermore, a three-month suspension of the implementation of Slovenias dissociation from Yugoslavia was agreed upon. It was also established that during this period, negotiations would begin on the future of all Yugoslavian republics. The agreement also stated that during the three months, Slovenian police would be allowed to control the republics international borders, while the JNA would be in charge of security.
Implementation of the peace agreement
The implementation of the peace agreement did not proceed without problems. The withdrawal of troops did begin almost immediately after the agreement. On the other hand, when signing the agreement, the Yugoslavian Collective Federal Presidency imposed a number of new demands, such as return of the Slovenian borders to the situation prior to 25 June. Slovenia ignored these demands. Negotiations on the future of Yugoslavia started on 22 July, but soon broke down. The Republic of Slovenia respected the moratorium on the implementation of its independence. However, in October, when the moratorium had expired, Slovenia formally ended its association with Yugoslavia even though there had been no official conclusion of the future of the Yugoslavian republics.
The conflict was thus officially terminated by a peace agreement. However, the peace agreement was only partial, as there was no full regulation or resolution of the incompatibility. The rapid termination of the conflict was largely due to the Slovenian success in fighting the demoralised JNA soldiers. In May 1992, UN recognised Slovenia as an independent state, while the other remnants of the Yugoslavian state were drawn into further war.
