- Title: Russians pay tribute to Fidel Castro at Cuban embassy in Moscow
- Date: 26th November 2016
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (NOVEMBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) FLOWERS OUTSIDE CUBAN EMBASSY IN MOSCOW CUBAN FLAG VARIOUS OF MAN LAYING DOWN FLOWERS AND TYING RIBBON AT GATES OF EMBASSY FLOWERS VARIOUS OF EMBLEM FOR EMBASSY ON BUILDING FLOWERS WOMAN CRYING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ECONOMIST AND MOSCOW RESIDENT, NATALIA, SAYING: "Of course it is a pity. It is a pity that such a person has passed away. We all know of him, what type of leader he was, what an orator, how beautifully he spoke. People in Cuba really loved him, they couldn't live without him. He enchanted them with his speech. Of course it is a pity, that he is gone. A world leader is gone. Under America's nose to create Cuba - for America he was a threat." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PENSIONER AND MOSCOW RESIDENT, VIKTOR, SAYING: "We have known this person since our childhood and we thought really well of him. We thought he was the leader, successor of Che Guevara, so all that is left to do is to mourn it (his passing)." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, SVETLANA, SAYING: "When we were born Fidel Castro was already there and now, it is sad. What more can one say. I don't even believe it, because they 'buried' him so many times and then it turned out it was another hoax! This time, no, they have already said that this time it is real. Well, it is a shame." PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS OF MOSCOW (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ENGINEER AND MOSCOW RESIDENT, GRIGORY, SAYING: "A person that put all three generations into just... a wonderful beautiful island that was famous all around the world - he destroyed it and turned it into something... he created a structure that is not suitable for life. I am on the other side. Of course it is bad that he died, but I think this will be a huge push for Cuba's development." FLOWERS AT ENTRANCE OF EMBASSY CLOSE-UP OF FLOWERS WOMAN LAYING FLOWERS DOWN CLOSE-UP OF FLOWERS MAN LAYING FLOWERS DOWN TRAFFIC ON STREETS OF MOSCOW
- Embargoed: 11th December 2016 12:30
- Keywords: tribute Fidel Castro death Cuba Russia Cuban embassy
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015A2YDS7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russians laid flowers and tied ribbons outside the Cuban embassy in Moscow on Saturday (November 26) in tribute to Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States.
Castro died on Friday (November 25) aged 90, his younger brother and successor Raul Castro announced on state television.
For many Russians, Cuba remains a long-term ally which the Soviet Union propped up economically and politically.
"Of course it is a pity. It is a pity that such a person has passed away. We all know of him, what type of leader he was, what an orator, how beautifully he spoke. People in Cuba really loved him, they couldn't live without him. He enchanted them with his speech. Of course it is a pity, that he is gone. A world leader is gone. Under America's nose to create Cuba - for America he was a threat," said Natalia, an economist living in Moscow.
"We have known this person since our childhood and we thought really well of him. We thought he was the leader, successor of Che Guevara, so all that is left to do is to mourn it (his passing," added her husband, Viktor.
But in death just as in life, Castro divided opinions.
"A wonderful beautiful island that was famous all around the world - he destroyed it and turned it into something... he created a structure that is not suitable for life. I am on the other side. Of course it is bad that he died, but I think this will be a huge push for Cuba's development," said Grigory, an engineer.
Mikhail Gorbachev, the final leader of the Soviet Union, said in a statement that Castro left a lasting mark on his country and on world history.
In a telegram of condolence to Raul Castro, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the late leader an "inspiring example for many countries".
"Fidel Castro was a frank and tried and true friend of Russia," the Kremlin quoted the message as saying. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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