Our country the Republic of Slovenia, still a very young state which has not yet reached its fifth anniversary of independence, is marking the fourth year since it received its first eagerly awaited recognition from other countries.

It is therefore not at all unexpected to find Slovenia among the first countries to participate in the Internet 1996 World Exposition. As a new and small member of the world community, it is ever more vital for us to be heard, to have people in the world - especially those who use the Internet and who form a population that in the words of President Clinton "is helping society to embrace the exciting opportunities of the twenty-first century and beyond" - hear and learn about us and our potential. As a matter of fact, from its existence as a new state Slovenia has been engaged in this marvellous worldwide information game called the Internet, as only ten days before the declaration of its independence Slovenia set up a dedicated line to Internet so that information sent by our people through this channel of communication could facilitate the relatively happy and successful course of establishing a new state.

I take great delight in the participation of Slovenia via the Yellow Internet in the Internet 1996 World Exposition, and I thank all who worked on the project and congratulate them for what they have accomplished, wishing them also success in the future and the joining of many new enthusiasts, since the exposition that is now open will last until the end of the year. At the same time, I wish to express my full appreciation and support for the initiators of this idea and to the organizers of the first Internet World Exhibition.

Ljubljana, 16 February 1996