Bosnian Serb Leader Reappears

Acting to quash speculation about his political death, Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic appeared in public Saturday for the first time in three weeks, chatting with locals on a stroll through his self-styled capital.

“I am here and I will stay here,” Karadzic told a man roasting a lamb outside his house in preparation for the Orthodox Christmas holiday today.

Karadzic underlined his reappearance by attending a Christmas Eve service and delivering a televised holiday message. He hailed peace in Bosnia, but railed against the handover of Serb-held parts of Sarajevo and against his former patron, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

Under the peace accord, Karadzic - an indicted war criminal - must forfeit office and cannot run in the elections due by September.

Karadzic, refused to answer any questions about his future.