Raul Castro, Catholic Leaders Meet

HAVANA TIMES, May 21 – Cuban President Raul Castro’s meeting with two representatives of the Catholic Church hierarchy represents a recognition of the latter’s role as an interlocutor in the discussion of the island’s present and future, affirmed Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, in a press conference.  Although the prelate admitted that there was no commitment on the government’s part to resolve questions such as the release of political prisoners, he described this first meeting and the following as “an open road with perspectives and hopes,” reported IPS.