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Macedonia's President Says He Won't Vote in Referendum

by Associated Press

   SKOPJE, MACEDONIA --

   Macedonia's president says he won't vote in a Sept. 30 referendum on
   whether to change the Balkan country's name to "North Macedonia."

   Macedonians will vote next weekend on a proposal to change the
   country's name, ending a long-running dispute with neighboring Greece,
   which sees the use of the term "Macedonia " as a claim on its own
   province of the same name.

   President Gjorge Ivanov was speaking to members of the Macedonian
   diaspora in Detroit on Saturday. He reiterated his position that the
   deal with Greece is "harmful and defeating" for Macedonia, according to
   a statement released by his office Sunday.

   Polls indicate Macedonians will likely back the deal, but it remains
   unclear whether turnout will meet the required 50-percent threshold for
   the vote to be valid.