Robert Eksuzyan

Robert was the absolute mainstay of the bureau during my years in Moscow, first in the late 70s and then 83-86. We were a four-person team in those days. I relied on his knowledge and wisdom on all things Soviet. He averted quite a few scrapes for us and he educated me, a non-Russian graduate, in the language (especially the rude side) and habits of the country. His Caucasian humour was an antidote to the strains in our little Sad Sam office especially in those long grey and muddy months. ■