During his term as Nato Commander, Europe, General Wesley Clark gained a reputation as a no-nonsense, tough-as-nails career soldier. He held a high-profile position during the 1999 Kosovo war.
His words at the beginning of Nato's bombing campaign set the tone for the alliance's tough line with President Milosevic.
"We're going to systematically and progressively attack, disrupt, degrade, devastate and ultimately, unless President Milosevic complies with the demands of the international community, we're going to destroy his forces and their facilities and support," he said.
But the campaign was not as swift and decisive as Nato had hoped and there were a series of mistakes, including the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade.
During the air strikes there were rifts between General Clark and the British commander General Sir Mike Jackson.
"I'm not going to start the Third World War for you," the British commander reportedly told General Clark during one heated exchange.
General Jackson overruled Gen Clark by refusing to send troops to stop Russian forces taking control of Pristina airport.
Nato bosses denied General Clark had been asked to leave his post early because of his handling of the Kosovo conflict. He stepped aside for administrative reasons, to make way for his successor General Joseph Ralston.
The bombing of the Chinese Embassy was NO mistake!
"I'm not going to start the Third World War for you," the British commander reportedly told General Clark during one heated exchange.
General Jackson overruled Gen Clark by refusing to send troops to stop Russian forces taking control of Pristina airport.
Jackson appealed KLArk's order to political superiors in the British Government who gave him permission to ignore KLArk's command. Apparently that is standard NATO procedure.