Pattern set in at Milosevic trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) – As the genocide trial of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic enters its fourth week, a pattern is emerging for both witnesses and Milosevic.

Milosevic is accused of crimes against humanity and genocide in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s.

He is conducting his own defence at the International War Crimes Tribunal, focusing on his belief that NATO caused all the suffering in Kosovo.

At this point in the trial, Kosovar victims appear less intimidated under fierce and lengthy cross-examination by the man they accuse of ordering the rape, deportation or death of their family members.

Most simply refuse to look at him as they answer. But in the early days, the pressure forced one witness to excuse himself, and others to get flustered.

VIDEO CNN's Christiane Amanpour reports former Yugoslav President Milosevic is sticking to his defense that NATO caused the suffering in Kosovo (March 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   EXTRA INFORMATION In-Depth: Milosevic On Trial  The People vs. Milosevic

Some accuse the prosecution of mounting a weak case, and allowing Milosevic to take the initiative.

However, tribunal chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte said: "He is doing very well, and he's right to defend himself but we are also working very well and hard."

While still rejecting the tribunal's legitimacy, Milosevic is now fully engaged in his defence and a senior American official observing the trial admits it is playing well to the home crowd back in Serbia.

Milosevic received some unexpected ammunition from the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Bush's ambassador-at-large for war crimes last week told Congress that the tribunal was mismanaged, unprofessional and full of abuse. He said it should end its work by 2008.

A chorus of criticism in Europe accused the U.S. of undermining the tribunal while its most important suspect was finally on trial.

In an effort at damage control, Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper came to the tribunal saying his comments had been taken out of context and that the tribunal will operate until its two most wanted Bosnian Serb suspects were brought to account.

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radozan Karadzic is wanted by the tribunal on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and violating the laws and customs of war in the 1995 Serbian onslaught against the U.N. safe enclave of Srebrenica -- the worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II.

Former Bosnian Serb military leader Radko Mladic is wanted in connection with the same massacre.

"Karadzic and Mladic will go to The Hague. The tribunal will not close down until they are brought to justice," Prosper said.

Prosper and Del Ponte insist U.S. support remains strong, but as the Milosevic trial grinds on in the Netherlands, the U.S. wants low- and mid-level war crimes suspects to be tried in their home countries, the same countries which the U.S. admits show little willingness or ability yet to conduct such trials.