(2 Mar 1996) English/Nat
Thunderstorms delayed the take-off on Saturday of planes from a Miami-based Cuban exile group flying wreaths to sea in honour of their dead comrades.
Two civilian aircraft belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue group were shot down by Cuban MiG fighters a week ago, accused of entering Cuban airspace.
A 35-boat flotilla planning a memorial service at sea was earlier in the day forced to cut short its mission due to dangerous weather conditions.
Defiant despite treacherous weather conditions, the leader of the Cuban exile group Brothers for the Rescue set off on his airborne journey Saturday to honour his dead comrades.
Storms delayed both the wreath-dropping mission and the planned flight over a memorial service at Miami's Orange Bowl Stadium.
But supporters of the Cuban exiles' search-and-rescue group were out in force to support their comrades on their mission.
Although the Cuban government has refrained from interfering in the planned seaborne memorial service, U-S- based Cubans openly displayed their criticism of Castro's hardline tactics.
SOUNDBITE:
"Right now, I hope this is the end for Castro. He's got to stop because it's not right what he did and he's got to die."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop.
The planes eventually took off, amid cheers, heading for the Florida Straits to drop a floral wreath over the spot where their planes were believed to be shot down.
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