Yugoslav Army Colonel

Basic information: Born June 13, 1953, Palez village near Zabljak, Montenegro. Married, two daughters and one son. Montenegrin.

Education and career: "As a boy of 14 I went off to military school. I loved the profession." Graduated high school in Sarajevo, military academy in Belgrade, security officers course in Pancevo and then army general staff tactical school. "I performed various duties, from deputy battalion commander to security chief in the guards brigade which provided security to top officials." Went to war in 1991 as a major, promoted Lt. colonel in 1991 and colonel in 1995. Now in Belgrade, teaching at the army school center.

How does he see himself: "I am not bloodthirsty, not a beast, I am a normal man who likes everything nice. I love my people and the country I fought for."

How did he become famous: When he stood in front of Vukovar hospital shouting at International Red Cross activists: "This is my country! We hold it, this is Yugoslavia. I'm in command here."

What is he charged with: The Hague Tribunal indicted him because the troops he commanded took 261 people from the Vukovar hospital in 1991 and transported them to the Ovcara farm where the prisoners were beaten and killed and buried in a mass grave.

Does he recognize the Hague Tribunal: "I recognize only a tribunal of my people and no other."

What does he say to the charges: "All my comrades and colleagues accepted the news as I did, not with pity but with difficulty, as an insult and humiliation not only for me but for all the people who were at the front since they all know me well. They're slandering me for something I didn't do." "There might have been crimes among the population."

What kind of warrior is he: In front of reporters, Sljivancanin called the Croat commander of Vukovar out for a duel.

Coup tendencies: "It first appeared at the 14th LCY congress... We reacted fiercely and I told my officers: we should go to that meeting hall and say: we have some rights to choose the fate of Yugoslavia." General Vasiljevic, head of KOS, said some 40 guards officers surrounded the general staff building in September 1991 with the intention of forcing defence minister General Veljko Kadijevic to resign and appoint Blagoje Adzic to replace him. Sljivancanin, then guards security chief, knew what the officers were going to do, refused to join them but promised to keep quiet. He reported them to his superiors when they entered the building. He later denied the report: "There was an idea to close the top army and state officials into the cellar of the presidential palace and serve them army food until they reached agreement. If they didn't we would make that public and end it. I sacrificed myself. All officers agreed to that."

What is shame: "Shame is when, for any reason, a man goes into hiding."

Role models: "I knew many legendary heroes who fought many battles but I most liked Savo Kovacevic and Nikoletina Bursac."

Hobby: Member of the Vuk Karadzic folk singers group.

War booty: "I did order the destruction of post office and bank vaults in Vukovar but I took nothing for myself."

Awards: Sljivancanin plum brandy used to be made in Valjevo, he got an Opel Vectra from the people of Sector East and the ABC product company.