Asked about the nationalist Serbs on the surrounding hills, he said: "Lunatics."

He blames not only nationalist Serbs for the fighting in the Balkans but also the Communist administration that preceded them and from which they came.

He often makes statements disguised as questions and uses the court as a political podium from which to encourage nationalist Serbs.

Muslim refugees, driven from their homes by nationalist Serbs in 1992, had occupied most of the place.

NATO threatened then to destroy all of the nationalist Serbs' artillery and tanks around the city if they were not removed.

General Rose also warned Mr. Zametica that action would be taken if the nationalist Serbs did not withdraw.

Aid workers here expressed fear that the decision could encourage nationalist Serbs to mount new attacks on Muslims and Croats.

Mr. Milosevic promised the strikers that he would respect the province's autonomy and remove nationalist Serbs from positions of power.

They said the plan would legitimize the takeover of more than half of Bosnia's territory by the nationalist Serbs' militia.

But he says no, he's putting down an insurrection - which is undeniable - and his hard line resonates with nationalist Serbs.