NORTHERN Ireland's peace process was discussed in
depth during marathon talks between Cuban president
Fidel Castro and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams in Havana
yesterday.
The two leaders met for five-and-a-half hours at a
government building near the memorial to 19th century
Cuban hero José Marti.
The Sinn Fein president said that he gave President
Castro a detailed assessment of the republican
movement's involvement in the peace process.
Mr Adams said: "The Sinn Fein delegation left the
discussions very impressed by the President's openness
and willingness to discuss every and any issue including
human rights, civil and religious liberties, democratic
rights and entitlements internationally."
The British Government's plans to scale down military
installations and operations were addressed as well as the
recent debate over policing.
The Cuban leader also discussed the 1981 hunger strikes
which saw 10 Republicans die and Mr Adams yesterday
unveiled a memorial in a park in Havana.
A Sinn Fein source said: "President Castro expressed
admiration for those who died in the hunger strike 20
years ago. What struck us was that he was exceptionally
well informed on many of the issues affecting Ireland and
very keen to get more information."
The meeting with President Castro took place as Sinn Fein
celebrated being given House of Commons facilities
following a vote in Westminster last night.
Mr Adams welcomed the vote. He said: "When the
speaker of the British House of Commons removed these
facilities from myself and Martin McGuinness we pledged
to campaign until they were restored.
"I welcome the fact that this has now happened. It
vindicates our position and interestingly we now have two
other MPs Michelle Gildernew and Pat Doherty who will
join us to avail of the facilities."
He added: "It is our intention to use the facilities as a
beachhead to continue and to intensify our work to
persuade the British public and political opinion to support
the end of the Union and the reunification and
independence of Ireland."
