vaks and the Czechs agreed to separate
peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU
in the spring of 2004.

Slovenia
The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and
Austria until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in
forming a new multinational state, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After
World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia,
which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule.
Dissatisfied with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the
Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after
a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong
economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's
transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and
the EU in the spring of 2004.

Solomon Islands
The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon
Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II
occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and
independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government
malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil
society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the
assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the
following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to
restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance
Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in
restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.

Somalia
The SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil,
factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years since. In
May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of
Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal,
Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized
by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence,
aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic
infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American
military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal and
northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous state
of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998, but does not
aim at independence; it has also made strides towards reconstructing
a legitimate, representative government, bu