'Colonialism caused problems'

2005-10-19 08:56

Johannesburg - Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said in Pretoria on Tuesday that many of the difficulties in Africa were caused by colonialism, as were those of Ireland.

"The difficulties faced by this country, as well as the African continent, were caused by colonialism and Ireland's problems were caused by colonialism," Adams said after meeting South African foreign affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Adams said one of the lessons his party had learnt from South Africa's transition from apartheid into a democracy was that negotiations, although a slow process, did indeed work.

Sinn Fein was in constant contact with Downing Street, and it was hoped the British government would meet its obligations to the Good Friday agreement and leave Ireland.

"There are more British soldiers currently in Ireland than in Iraq," he said.

Adams said he often told British Prime Minister Tony Blair that he hoped he would be the last British prime minister with jurisdiction over Ireland.

"He (Blair) cannot possibly govern Ireland in the interests of the Irish people. He can only govern in the interests of his own people."

Adams' visit follows the historic decision by the Irish Republican Army. earlier this year to destroy all its arms and end its armed struggle.

Dlamini-Zuma said South Africa would follow Sinn Fein's lead on how to support them in the peace process.

"We are ready to do whatever they may ask us to do with our experience."

Adams is to pay a courtesy call, later in the week, on President Thabo Mbeki and will also lay a wreath at Freedom Park, the memorial site in Pretoria, to participants of the struggle.

- SAPA