Macedonian president recalls ambassador to U.S. over media correspondence

SKOPJE, Macedonia Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski on Tuesday recalled the country's new ambassador to the United States whom Macedonia's governing conservatives accused of undiplomatic behavior.

Crvenkovski said he unwillingly signed a decree recalling Ljupco Jordanovski from Washington after Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki threatened to keep the diplomat in Skopje indefinitely "for consultations."

Macedonia's conservative government, elected in July, sharply criticized Jordanovski — a former parliament speaker posted to Washington the same month — after he engaged in a public debate in local media with his counterpart in London over why their Social-democratic party lost the elections.

The two ambassadors aired their opinions on the matter in newspaper letters columns, and their views were extensively quoted in the media.

The ambassador to Britain was recalled last month.

Crvenkovski — who has final say on diplomatic appointments — complained that the affair tarnished Macedonia's international image.

"The excuse that someone should be recalled only because the government lost confidence in him is unacceptable and unfounded," he said.

"Macedonia does not have its ambassador to one of the most important capital cities."