Moldova’s president has accused neighboring Romania of instigating violent protests against the newly elected Communist government, and declared the Romanian ambassador in the Eastern European country “persona non grata.” Wednesday, president Vladimir Voronin said the protests were a part of attempts to overthrow his government.

BUCHAREST -Romania Wednesday rejected accusations by Moldova’s President Vladimir Voronin that it had played a role in the anti-Communist unrest that have shaken Chisinau. “This accusation is a provocation aimed at the Romanian state,” Romania’s foreign ministry said in a statement issued shortly before Moldova told Bucharest’s ambassador in Chisinau …

CHISINAU – Moldova has ordered the Romanian ambassador to leave the country within 24 hours, the Moldovan foreign ministry said on Wednesday after officials blamed Bucharest for bloody riots a day earlier.