19/12/2001

US ambassador criticises Adams’ Cuba visit

The American ambassador to the UK, William Farish, has criticised Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams’ three-day visit to Cuba.

Mr Farish voiced his concerns while he was attending a Christmas gala event at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Tuesday night where he delivered a message of peace from US President George W Bush.

Speaking before the event, he described the Cuban trip by Sinn Fein as “unhelpful”.

Mr Farish said: “If you combine Colombia and September 11 and now the visit to Cuba, it certainly isn't a positive thing. I think there have been things that Sinn Fein have done recently which have been very positive and that it what we are after.”

Delivering President Bush’s Christmas message, Mr Farish said the people of Northern Ireland were a “beacon of hope” for divided societies across the world.

In the message, President Bush said Northern Ireland could be “justly proud” of its progress towards peace. (AMcE)

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