Parting words: "They will not ... break me"

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro — A Socialist Party aide of Slobodan Milosevic said Saturday that the ex-president was defiant one day before his death.

"He told me, 'Don't you worry: They will not destroy me or break me; I shall defeat them all,' " said Milorad Vucelic, recounting a phone conversation with Milosevic late Friday. "But it was obvious he was very ill."

Milosevic, found dead Saturday in his cell, was in daily contact with Socialist Party officials in Belgrade as he carried out his defense before the U.N. war-crimes tribunal.

Vucelic said Milosevic was in "a good mood" Friday and was satisfied with how his case was coming along, but would not discuss his illness.

"We were supposed to talk more today, but when he didn't call, I was a little worried," Vucelic said. "Then I found out what had happened."

Vucelic spoke at Socialist Party headquarters, where flags hung at half-staff and a huge photo of Milosevic was on display, adorned with a black cloth.