"With the embarrassment, time needed to pass," Mr. Panic said.

"Ethnic cleansing must be stopped and reversed," Mr. Panic said.

"This is a peace mission," Mr. Panic said in an interview today.

"All that he offers is fear, division and confrontation," Mr. Panic said at a news conference here this afternoon.

Mr. Panic said that he was the subject of unfair pressure and scrutiny.

"We must support change - that is our national program," said Mr. Panic.

"There will be lots of them in the street," Mr. Panic said.

And even now, Mr. Panic, who describes himself as an optimist, said he did not see reforms happening soon.

Mr. Panic was traveling much of the last week and was unavailable for comment, said a spokesman.

"I still have responsibility toward the country," Mr. Panic said.