Tributes Paid to ex-Leader Reagan

The BBC ^ | June 5, 2004

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Reagan was suffering the advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease

US President George W Bush has paid tribute to the late Ronald Reagan, saying "a great American life has come to an end".

He was among leaders across the world paying tribute to Mr Reagan, who died at the age of 93.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II have both expressed their sadness at his death.

Former US president George Bush senior said he mourned "a great president and a great friend".

'Won respect'

Ronald Reagan was president from 1981 to 1989.

The former statesman, who had not been seen in public for several years, died at his home in California, according to an anonymous friend.

US President George W Bush was told of the death of Mr Reagan while he was at dinner with French President Jacques Chirac, according to White House officials.

At a press conference he spoke of it being "a sad hour in the life of America".

"Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness. And won its love with his goodness." he said.

"He had the confidence that comes with conviction. The strength that comes with character. The grace that comes with humility and the humour that comes with wisdom. "

His father, former vice-president George Bush senior, said he and his wife Barbara mourned "a great president and a great friend".

He will be missed not only by those who knew him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply Baroness Thatcher

The late president "set an example for the American people whether they agreed with him or not", he said.

UK premier Tony Blair said in a statement that "President Reagan will be remembered as a good friend of Britain".

He has written to express condolences and sympathy to both President George W Bush and Mr Reagan's widow, Nancy.

Baroness Thatcher, a close political ally of Mr Reagan's in the 1980s, described the late president as "a truly great American hero".

Speaking to PA News, the former UK prime minister said Mr Reagan was "one of my closest political and dearest personal friends".

"He will be missed not only by those who knew him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply, but also by millions of men and women who live in freedom today because of the policies he pursued."

'Open support'

In eastern Europe, leaders, former dissidents and ordinary citizens expressed gratitude to the former US president for helping to end decades of communism and Cold War-era oppression.

Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, speaking to news agency Associated Press (AP) said: "Hungary and Europe do not forget Ronald Reagan's help and his support for the former communist countries."

Former Czech dissident Jiri Dienstbier also told AP that under President Reagan America's "open support was very important for our safety and for our position in society".

"During his administration, US citizens at all levels and of all walks of life - politicians, senators, journalists, academics - systematically and repeatedly were visiting Czechoslovakia and other communist countries, meeting the dissidents and the opposition," he said.

'Sadly ironic'

UK Conservative Party leader Michael Howard described him as "one of the towering figures of our time".

Mr Howard said the late president was "the man who with Margaret Thatcher won the Cold War for the West".

Speaking after hearing news of his death he said it was "sadly ironic" that he should have died on the eve of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, the day when the Allies began the liberation of Europe.

"We in Britain, as in so many other places around the world, owe him an ever-lasting debt. May he rest in peace."

Mr Reagan revealed in November 1994 that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which destroys brain cells and causes memory loss.

Since then, he retreated to his home in Los Angeles, where he had been nursed by close members of his family.

[perfect stranger]

[Bob J]

Don't allow the media to spin Reagans death as they did his life. Go to the FR Reagan Vigils post and pledge to organize or attend a vigil in your area.