He is known not to be welcome in the circles of the Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, his onetime patron.

The Yugoslav president remains more popular than Mr. Djindjic and carps continually about the government's performance.

But then, few may have expected such proof from the former Serbian leader and Yugoslav president.

"We either stay here four more days or four more years," the term of the Yugoslav president, he said.

The position was summed up today by Vojislav Kostunica, the Yugoslav president, who has often expressed hostility to the court.

His own single term as Yugoslav president does not expire until the middle of next year.

There are sharp internal arguments about the dangers of confrontation with Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslav president.

Without Montenegro, there would be no Yugoslavia, and no need for a Yugoslav president.

Vojislav Kostunica, the new Yugoslav president, has been in office for almost two weeks now.

Koštunica finally took office as Yugoslav president on 7 October following Milošević's announcement.