"I ask that you subpoena Bill Clitnon, Madeleine Albright, Tony Blair and Gerhard Schroeder," said the former Yugoslav president who won back the right to lead his own defence on November 1.
Milosevic asked the tribunal to also summon retired U.S. General Wesley Clark, who commanded the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia and had already testified, and former German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping.
"I ask you to issue an order now for them to be heard if possible before the Christmas recess," Milosevic said.
Presiding judge Patrick Robinson said he would not issue a subpoena unless Milosevic submitted his request in writing.
"You must make a written submission setting out the circumstances which show that they are unwilling to come and setting out the evidence you want them to give," he said.
Milosevic, who has been on trial in The Hague since February 2002 and is charged with ethnic cleansing in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, said he had sent letters to embassies and provided clarification when asked why he wanted the witnesses to give evidence during his defence case.
Milosevic's court appointed attorney Steven Kay said he would meet representatives of the US embassy next Tuesday to discuss his client's request.
The ex Yugoslav leader is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Balkans in the 1990s,
For the past three days the trial was focused on a request by defence counsel Key that he be relieved of his duty.