FYROM sending mixed signals

Ahead of Sunday's crucial referendum on changing the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the country's political leadership gave conflicting messages to its citizens Thursday, with President Gjorge Ivanov calling for a boycott and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev urging people to get out and vote.

Addressing the 73rd General Assembly of the United Nations in New York Thursday, Ivanov said the name deal signed with Greece in June - under which FYROM will be called North Macedonia - was tantamount to the country committing a "historic suicide."

The call by Ivanov for people not to vote was a boost for those in FYROM who are opposed to the deal, including the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, which have stated that they will not accept the result of the referendum if participation is not more than 50 percent.

"On September 30, I will not go out and vote,...