Issue 73 - February 15, 1993

Unlike their "colleagues" throughout the world, the Serbian millionaires have still not created a common image: there are no rules of behavior, of having fun, of dressing and of extravagance. The only thing the local rich have in common is - wealth

Instead of a 'revolutionary elite' and 'red bourgeoisie', we are getting an upstart, extremely aggressive rich 'elite', of contemporary 'baron-thieves', as well as the national-chauvinist elite of power. The true elite of knowledge and spiritual and material creativity, is mostly acquiring the position of a new proletariat

While war is raging in the former Yugoslavia and models of wartime economy and hyperinflation predominate in the economy, Slovenia resembles an island of economic stability. Although Slovenia was also affected by the breakdown of the Yugoslav market, Drnovsek's government still succeeds in maintaining the stability of the national valuta tolar, a minimal monthly inflation (1%-2%) and average salaries of around 650 DM per month. We talked with Mitja Gaspari, Slovenia's Finance Minister, who is also remembered by many as the last vice-governor of the National Bank of the former Yugoslavia, about the causes of hyperinflation in the rump Yugoslavia and possibilities for success of the Slovenian model

It was expected that Europe would make the final judgement, but it turned out that Milosevic and Karadzic who had paid the least attention to Europe, the arbiter, fared best. This is the moment when, young and innocent, Bill Clinton enters the scene, resolved to put an end to this European mess

Even though he had told journalists and deputies ten days ago in passing, that he did not know if he would accept the post of federal prime minister, Radoje Kontic has agreed, "but without much enthusiasm," as he said

In attempting to explain the emptiness of his inaugural speech, Nikola Sainovic, Prime Minister of the new Serbian government, gave as an excuse the idea that the economy should be returned to the federal government, and that salvation plans in the republic should acquire the character of a state secret