Slovenia

Slovenia is a southeastern European country touching Italy and the Adriatic Sea, with a population of 2 million and capital city of Ljubljana. Formed in 1991 with the breakup of Yugoslavia, it is more prosperous then the other countries resulting from the breakup, with a GDP per Capita of U.S. $19,200. It joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.

It is the most liberal, politically, of the former Yugoslavian countries. The BBC writes, "Throughout the 1980s there was pressure from Slovenia for greater political freedom and pluralism in the federation. This reputation was tarnished after independence when thousands of nationals of other former Yugoslav republics were removed from population records and lost residency rights. Parliament later passed a bill restoring their citizenship but a referendum held shortly before EU entry in 2004 overturned it by an overwhelming margin. Human rights groups expressed dismay at the move which embarrassed the leadership as it prepared to celebrate EU membership."

PR in the U.S.
In February 1995, the country contracted with the public relations firm Washington World Group (WWG) to publicize in the U.S. "the economic and political achievements of the Republic of Slovenia as well as other positive aspects and policies of the country", according to a document filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The contract reads,


 * "Arrange for five placements in newspapers or magazines which are among the top fifteen publications in the United States (list attached). One of these placements will be an interview with the Prime Minister. These placements might be in the form of 1) op-ed pieces (opposite the editorial page), prepared by WWG and signed by prominent individuals who could give authority to the piece; 2) interviews by widely-read syndicated columnists with the Prime Minister; and/or 3) articles by leading journalists. In the latter two cases, WWG would work with the writers, providing background information, briefings, talking points and other assistance."


 * "The agreement begins on 10 March 1995 and remains in effect until all five placements have been published."


 * "The fee for the services described above is $25,000.00, including out-of-pocket expenses.


 * The fee schedule is as follows:


 * $10,000 is due on 10 March 1995
 * $7,500.00 is due after two placements have been published
 * $7,500.00 is due when all five placements have been published"

Media
The BBC says of the country's media:


 * The media scene is diverse and free, and the constitution supports freedom of expression. The main papers are privately owned and support themselves through advertising. About two thirds of TV households are connected to cable or satellite.

Leaders

 * Janez Jansa, Prime minister since 2004, centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party
 * Danilo Turk, President, largely ceromonial position but carries authority in defence and foreign affairs, leftist former diplomat

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Placebrands
 * Nancy Ely-Raphel - former US Ambassador

External resources

 * Slovenia, U.S. Department of State, accessed April 2008.
 * Timeline: Slovenia, BBC, accessed April 2008.