the then

hugely popular performer in the then Zaire before the fashion for African and world music brought him fame



czy to oznacza ze byl popularny w w tamtych czasach w Zairze ale teraz juz nie jest?

I'm afraid that using 'then' is connected with the fact that this country is not called Zair anymore... since 1997 it's Republic of the Congo:)

ok dzieki nie wiedzialem

often translates into Polish as "ówczesny"
the then Minister of Finance = ówczesny Minister Finansów
And the new name for old Zaire is the DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo

is there anything like 'undemocratic republic'???
I agree with you - it'd democratic republic but using 'democratic' isn't necessary. You can say just republic of sth as well:)

It's in the official name. Nothing can be done about it.

ups... sorry I made a little mistake:/ because there are two coutries and this second one is just Rep. of the Congo. Sorry once again you are prerfectly right!

>Sorry once again you are prerfectly right!

I'm afraid that most of the time I'm pRerfectly this or that :-)
Also, thanks for pointing out that "the" can be used in this name.

;P