PLESTINA ASKS TO BE STRIPPED OF HER AMBASSADORIAL TITLE

ZAGREB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Dijana Plestina, the wife of Prime Minister Ivica Racan, has asked to be stripped of her ambassadorial title, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday. #L# "Dijana Plestina has resigned as an ambassador-at-large and has sent a letter to President Mesic asking him to relieve her of her ambassadorial rank," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Natalija Bukovec told Hina, adding that this was the first time an ambassador had asked to be relieved of his or her duties. Plestina was not aware that she had been appointed ambassador in violation of the rules of the Foreign Ministry, so she asked to be relieved of her duties because "she wants the rule of law to function," Bukovec said. According to the Foreign Ministry rules, only a person with at least eight years of foreign service may be appointed an ambassador. Plestina is returning to her old post in the Foreign Ministry where she worked as an adviser on mine clearance, the spokeswoman said. Plestina was appointed ambassador-at-large by President Mesic on July 14, and the Foreign Ministry explained then that the title would help her in her work relating to mine clearance. The Foreign Ministry said that Plestina credited her pay into the account of an international institution for mine clearance and assistance to the victims of land mines. Her appointment as ambassador at the Foreign Ministry caused a public outcry in the country. (hina) vm