MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Edmund Turk The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved after Carl Bonutti noted an error in the time of Kucan's visit. It should read "sometime in January", not October as stated in the minutes. Fran Mauric moved the minutes be accepted as corrected with a second by Tony Hiti. Passed.
Chairman Turk reported that the American/Slovenian Polka Foundation at its meeting this past Tuesday asked for representation in this Committee.
Motion by Carl Bonutti, second by Jim Debevec for approval. Motion passed.
Edmund Turk also questioned if we should invite Cardinal Hickey or perhaps Bishop Pevec would like to be a member. Carl Bonutti will call Bishop Pevec.
John Pestotnik gave the Treasurer's Report. Checks are still coming in. He is trying to co-ordinate with Father Kumse and Stan Ziherl so they can keep current on the donations. Edmund Turk also presented a bill from AMLA in the amount of $ 987.34 which is, indeed, a conservative figure for all the copy paper, envelopes, postage, etc. used in sending out our mailings. Motion by Gene Kogovsek, second by John Pestotnik, the bill be paid. Motion passed. Edmund Turk also read excerpts of a letter written by Albin Lipold,107 President of the United Slovene Society to President Bush. It was a very good letter.
Edmund Turk also reported on the United Front against Communism in Yugoslavia letter. A question arose that we may become liable. We might be called "communists" etc. In view of the feeling after we discussed it a little fur-ther. One of the problems is that we do not have a corporate veil and we're all responsible for the actions of this committee. Edmund did not follow thru on our previous motion of September 5th. Therefore, he wishes us to reconsider the motion. Motion to reconsider was moved by Gene Kogovsek, second by Jim Debevec. Motion to amend or delete the adoption of the motion ... that is, we will not get involved by Gene Kogovsek, second by John Pestotnik Motion passed.
Edmund Turk then read a letter which was written by Stan Kuhar re Mark Ryavec's letter. No action was taken. However, Carl Bonutti felt that we should
* * *
107 Albin Lipoid; mjcn leta 1928 v Dawsonu (NM.) Leta 1954 doktorinll na Cleveland Marshall l.<tw School (Cleveland Stale University). Pomoenik miilea v CUYdhooga Counry, Cleveland, Ohio.
72 Zapisniki HUniled Americans for Slovenia"
support anyone in the democratic government in Slovenia. It is not proper for us to point a finger to individuals that might have been members of the Communist Party years ago. They fought for democracy and succeeded in changing the system. Whether it's a Christian or Social Democrat or former Communist Party member, why should we be critical. No one on this Committee is getting paid and it is our duty and obligation to get going on the issue of getting support from our government.
We again discussed the Dole-Pell Amendment and all agree that for the most part, the passage of this bill will greatly benefit our cause. However, John Pestotnik has asked Dennis Eckart's office to get him a copy of the bill in its entirety so that we can fully understand the parameters of this bill. Edmund Turk will also get more information.
We also discussed the possibility of having Congressman Edward Feighan attend one of our meeting so we might get an update on this issue. It is Ollr understanding that when Mr. Petrie arrives in this country, he will be given diplomatic status.
Matt Susel, who just returned from a week in Slovenia, gave an indepth report on what is going on. Apparently, their primary concern is the market economy and privatisation. They are having real difficulty in how to go about structuring businesses which were run by the government and now are going private. They don't know to do it and are asking how it can be done. An Economist from Harvard10" was very successful in advising the Eastern European countries, induding Slovenia. Peterle is committed to the plan.
However, there is no model and no capital and if they take the wrong route, it will be a disaster.
Jim Debevec added to the comments about a newspaper, much smaller in size than the American Home Weekly which has 18 reporters and 85 people working compared to the half dozen working at the American Home.
Ivo Vajgl and Matjaz Janchar are both working in the Foreign Ministry. It appears there are two teams ... Peterle and Rupel and each is doing their own thing. We are, however, channelling information to Slovenia re our Radiothon, our letters, postcard, etc. So that they are aware that we are behind them 100%.
Matt also reported that everything in Slovenia is expensive, even newspa-pers. The official rate of a dinar is 22, but it will be going up again and there is
* * *
10M Jeffrey S;tchs, pmfcsorekonolllijc na harvardski univerzi in nekaj casa svetovalc<.: vl4tdc Rcpublikc Slovcnijc in mmtlih vzhodnocvropskih drJ.av v tranziciji.
7
Rgzprave in gradivo Ljubljgna 1999 SI. 34 73
a physical shortage of bank notes. What they really need is hard currency. The Yugoslav Army is leaving, but destroying anything of value left at the army posts, etc.
Stan Ziherl reminded us that we discussed putting an ad in the Washington Post or the Plain Dealer. Joe Valencic reported that a 1/2 Pg. ad somewhere in the vicinity of the Editorial Page would cost either $ 5,250 (432,000 Circulation) or $ 6.210 (562. 000 Circulation). He will also find out what the cost would be in the Washington Post.
Joe Valencic also read a cover letter which will go out with the petitions that are going out. Another letter was received today. This one from a Tadej Gartner, which was directed toward the Radiothon. This letter, plus others we receive from across the country should be used as publicity.
Tony Petkovsek reported that he will be travelling extensively and will be unable to attend too many meetings. However, he will be having an 8 x 10 Commemorative Program Booklet in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Polka Weekend and is asking the fraternals and other organisations for support.
Carl Bonutti reported that the President of Cleveland State"") has received a request to have Carl teach at the University of Ljubljana from October thru December. Permission has been granted and Carl will teach a course in Economics. He will have approximately 250 students, it will be taught in Slovenian and since there are no textbooks, the students write their own. He also noted that Vodopivecl1O is coming to America with his family and his apart-ment will have to be furnished. If anyone has any furniture to donate, kindly let him know.
Members in attendance were: Carl Bonutti, Frances Maurie, Tony Hiti, Gene Kogovsek, Edwin Polsak, Edmund Turk, Stanley Ziherl, Cirila Kermavner, Rudy Susel, Jim Debevec, John Pestotnik, Joe Valencic, Tony Petkovsek and Betty Rotar.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. The next meeting will be held at the AMLA Office on Tuesday, September 24th.
* * *
109 Cleveland Stale University; drl.avn<i univcr.la v Clcvcl<mdu.
Respectfully submitted, Betty Rottar, Recording Secretary
110 Peter VodopiVCCj rojcn leta 1946 v Ucogradu, rcdni profcsor 7.a oba> zgodovino 19. slolctja na Univerzi v
I~ubljani in "Vlor ~tcvilnih prispcvkov vdomaCih in lujih znansrvcnih rcvijah, znansrvcni svclnik na Institutu za
novcjSo zgodovino v ljubljani.
74
UNITED AMERICANS FOR SLOVENIA