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Leaders speak about passing of Fidel Castro

By Final Call News | Last updated: Nov 30, 2016 - 2:58:40 PM

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Fidel Castro
Words of condolences poured in from Africa and Asia and other parts of the world with the passing of the great revolutionary hero and former Cuban President Fidel Castro. While leaders from non-Western nations seemed to offer appreciation for Mr. Castro and Cuba’s contributions to the world, President-elect Donald Trump of the United States and some Republican political leaders fired away at the legacy of a man loved for his support of oppressed people and principled stands for justice.

From heads of state to leaders of international organizations and social activists, Mr. Castro’s death was seen as a loss and his life was seen as inspiration.

“The physical flesh and blood and bones of my brother are gone from us but the revolutionary ideas and principles that he lived are alive. They’re in the people that his revolution quickened to international consciousness.  And those characteristics and principles are found all over our planet today among the poor and the oppressed and the weak.  He Lives!  In my heart and in the heart of all of us who understand his role, he will never die,” said the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam in a Nov. 28 statement. “Long live the memory of Fidel Castro.  Long live the Cuban people who have endured this savage blockade for over 50 years and have produced magnificent things in medicine, in science, in culture for the world to receive.” (See Min. Farrakhan’s full statement.) 

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he called Raúl Castro, the late president’s brother, to express solidarity and love.

“Fidel always lived in the hearts of the people of solidarity who fight for justice, dignity and fraternity,” said Salvador Sánchez Cerén, president of El Salvador. “Our condolences and solidarity with the brother government and people of Cuba.” He called Fidel a dear friend who would forever live in his heart.

“The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, has on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, conveyed a message of condolences to the government and the people of Cuba, following the passing on of former President Fidel Castro,’’ said a statement from South Africa. “He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle against apartheid. The Cuban people, under the leadership and command of President Castro, joined us in our struggle against apartheid,” said President Zuma. “As a way of paying homage to the memory of President Castro, the strong bonds of solidarity, cooperation and friendship that exist between South Africa and Cuba must be maintained and nurtured.”

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Namibian President Hage Geingob described the relationship between his country and Mr. Castro as a deep one, far beyond politics. His passing means the loss of a father, uncle, brother and friend, he said. “After Namibian independence, Comandante-en-Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz ordered that Namibia continue to benefit from Cuban doctors and other professionals for which he declined any monetary compensation,” President Geingob noted. Mr. Castro taught lessons in how not to compromise and only wanted the liberation of oppressed people. It was that kind of commitment and support that helped Namibia destroy apartheid, he said. Mr. Castro never had any interest in benefitting from Namibia’s natural resources, gold and diamonds. Sent by El Comandante, thousands of Cuban troops fought in Africa and played a major role in Namibia’s successful fight for independence. “Our own victories and losses in the struggle for our independence against apartheid South Africa are linked to the international solidarity of the Cuban people through diplomatic, military, and people-to-people interface,” he said. It was at the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola, with Cuban, Angolan and Namibian forces fighting side by side, that South Africa’s military was defeated, he said. “May the Cuban people feel consoled by the knowledge that Comandante-en-Jefe Castro Ruz lived his life in service of the oppressed and for the self-determination of the Americas and Africa. May his revolutionary spirit continue to underwrite and inspire the progressive forces to continue demanding economic justice and shared prosperity in an equitable world order,” President Geingob said.

Nigerian President Mu-hammadu Buhari expressed sadness at the passing of Mr. Castro. “On behalf of the Federal Government, President Buhari offers deepest condolences to Cuban President Raul Castro, and the people of Cuba on the passing early Saturday of the legendary leader, who passionately served his people for almost half a century,” Mr. Buhari said in a statement issued by a spokesperson. He called Mr. Castro a “remarkable leader who against all odds stirred uncommon development in sports, education and health care sectors of his nation, even to the benefit of other nations.”

“As a great friend to Africa, countries in the Global South and the Non-Aligned Movement, President Buhari believes that Castro’s place in history is assured, given his sustained successful commitment and towering role in the liberation and anti-colonialism struggles in Africa,” the statement said.

 “At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans—in Cuba and in the United States—with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him,” said United States President Barack Obama in a statement.

“During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends—bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. … Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon offered his condolences to the Cuban people and the family of Fidel Castro. Mr. Ban said “at this time of national mourning, I offer the support of the United Nations to work alongside the people of the island.” “Cuba will continue to advance on a path of reform and greater prosperity,” he said.

“Upon receiving the sad news of the passing of your beloved brother, the honorable Fidel Castro Ruz, former president of the state council and the government of the Republic of Cuba, I express my sadness to your excellency and all family members of the deceased dignitary, as well as the government and the people in that beloved nation,” said the Pope in another telegram to Raul Castro. “I offer my prayers for his eternal rest, and I entrust the Cuban people to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of La Caridad del Cobre, patroness of that country.”

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Secretary-General Kofi Annan travelled to Cuba for an offi cial visit, April 10-14, 2000. President Fidel Castro (right) welcoming Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Guest House in Havana.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter tweeted: “Rosalynn and I share our sympathies with the Castro family and the Cuban people on the death of Fidel Castro. We remember fondly our visits with him in Cuba and his love of his country. We wish the Cuban citizens peace and prosperity in the years ahead.”

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson paid tribute to Mr. Castro in several tweets, saying, “In many ways, after 1959, the oppressed the world over joined Castro’s cause of fighting for freedom & liberation-he changed the world. RIP” and “He sought to be a LIBERATOR not a liberal. Discussing the life and legacy of #Castro.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Mr. Castro a “symbol of a whole era of modern world history,” “an inspiring example for all countries and peoples” and a “sincere and reliable friend of Russia” in a telegram to Raul Castro offering condolences for the death of his brother.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a telegram to Cuba, mourning the loss of a “dear comrade and true friend” of the Chinese people who made “immortal contributions to the development of socialism around the world.”

China’s official Xinhua News Agency eulogized a man who “resisted the American superpower for half a century” with the headline: “Old Soldiers Never Die.”

President of India Pranab Mukherjee tweeted, “Heartfelt condolences on sad demise of Cuba’s revolutionary leader, former President & friend of India, Fidel Castro #PresidentMukherjee.”

President Enrique Peña Nieto tweeted that Mexico would mourn the passing of a friend, Fidel Castro.

Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, also sent a tweet recalling a 1992 meeting with Castro:

“I extensively talked with #FidelCastro in person, it is his personality to believe and rely on people.”

“The name Fidel Castro will remain etched in the minds of all generations, as an inspiration for all the peoples seeking true independence and liberation from the yoke of colonization and hegemony,” said Syrian President Assad through the Syrian Arab News Agency. He “led the struggle of his country and people against imperialism and hegemony for decades, and that his steadfastness has become an example and an inspiration for leaders and peoples everywhere in the world.”

British foreign minister Boris Johnson tweeted, “Fidel #Castro’s death marks the end of an era for #Cuba & the start of a new one for Cuba’s people”

Francois Hollande, the president of France, observed, “Fidel Castro was a major figure of the 20th century. He embodied the Cuban revolution, in the hopes it aroused and the disappointments it provoked. Actor of the Cold War, he represented a period of history that ended with the fall of the Soviet Union. He represented, for Cubans, pride in rejecting external domination.”

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said in a statement, “Fidel stood up for and strengthened his country at the time of the toughest American blockade, at a time of colossal pressure on him, and all the same he led his country out of that blockade onto the road of independent development.”

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President. Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and health care of his island nation. While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for el Comandante. I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba. On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.”

President Juncker of the European Commission said in statement: “Fidel Castro was one of the historic figures of the past century and the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution. With the death of Fidel Castro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many. He changed the course of his country and his influence reached far beyond. Fidel Castro remains one of the revolutionary figures of the 20th century. His legacy will be judged by history. I convey my condolences to the Cuban President Raúl Castro and his family and to the people of Cuba.”

In North Korea three days of mourning were declared for President Castro. The mourning period was declared for Nov. 28 through Nov. 30. Flags at government buildings and some public places were flown at half-mast. “The feats he performed for the Cuban revolution and the fraternal relations of friendship between the two countries would remain forever,’’ North Korean political leaders said in a letter to Raul Castro.