Articles on Yugoslavia

I'm referring to two articles published in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 2, 1997: Belgrade is the unknown city on the Danube, page seven, and Funky intergalactic romp more of a bore than a horror, page 12.

Commenting on the first article, it needs to be said that the visa problems the author encountered are imposed by other countries on Yugoslav citizens (due to the sanctions) and are only reciprocated by the Yugoslav government. It is still much easier for a German, for instance, to obtain Yugoslav visa rather than vice-versa.

Strict monetary laws were necessary to regulate flow of scarce forex funds abroad. Cashless payment is reduced also due to the sanctions and not because someone in Belgrade is against it.

However, it is refreshing to finally find a news article on Yugoslavia/Serbia/Belgrade that is not entirely painted black.

To set the record straight, in regard to the second article, Russian super model Milla Jovovich is an American. Her father is of Yugoslav (Serb) descent and her mother is of Russian descent. So, it would be more appropriate to say: "Yugo-Russian supermodel Milla Jovovich", unless, of course, fathers don't count any more.

BRANIMIR SALEVIC

Tangerang, West Java