Serbia and Montenegro: Confusion as one country changes into another
It is now several weeks since the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro – but many people appear not to have noticed.
According to a report in The Independent, despite Yugoslavia being consigned to the history books, organisations around the country have decided to stick to what they know.
The national carrier, for instance, will still be known as Yugoslav Airlines (JAT) for the time being, while cultural attractions including the Museum of Yugoslav History and the Yugoslav Drama Theatre will also retain their original names. Existing Yugoslav passports will remain legal for another three years, and the new state does not have a flag or a national anthem at the moment.
But maybe the most crucial concern exposed by The Independent’s report is that sport’s fans are unsure what they should be chanting. One told the newspaper’s reporter in Belgrade, Vesna Peric: “Yu-go-sla-via was easy. You can’t shout Serbia and Montenegro. That sounds stupid.”
