Late Fidel Castro Laid To Rest Sunday

By Ismail Amsyar Mohd Said KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The ashes of the late former Cuban president Fidel Castro were interred on Sunday (8pm Malaysia time) in Santiago de Cuba, where the Cuban revolution struggle began in 1959. Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia, Ibete Fernandez said Castro's ashes arrived in Santiago (de Cuba) after a four-day 'homecoming' journey from Havana and was welcomed by huge crowds at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square. "In 1959, he marched on the same route, which was from Santiago de Cuba to Havana. Only this time, he is making his way back to Santiago de Cuba to be laid to rest. It was the route he used to bring liberation and freedom to all over the country. "I cannot talk about him in the past because his ideas will live forever. We are very sad and painful today, but it is normal because Fidel is a father figure to Cubans," she told Bernama after The End of Signing Book of Condolences ceremony ended at the embassy here Sunday. The ceremony which saw the attendance of ambassadors and high commissioners from Equador, Venezuela, Vietnam, Namibia and South Africa marks the end and ninth day of mourning in Cuba. "I want to express my appreciation to the good friends of Cuba who are here today (Sunday), to pay their last respects to the former president. "Cuba is very grateful for all the demonstrations of solidarity and support that we have received from not only governments but also ordinary people," said Fernandez. She also quoted Cuban President Raul Castro's announcement at the square, saying that Castro did not want anything, including institution, street, building or statue to be named after him. "He just wanted to be remembered as Fidel Castro who brought triumph and dignity to the country, and nothing more than that." Fidel Castro, a Cuban politician and revolutionary who governed Cuba for 47 years from 1959 to 2006, died on Nov 25 (Friday) at age 90. The Cuban Government had announced the following day that his ashes would be interred at the Santa Ifigeria Cemetary in Santiago de Cuba on Sunday. --BERNAMA