from the young heelers notebooks

Interview with Labour Party parliamentarian Michael D Higgins, circa 1993.

James: "You squired Danilo Ortega De Saavedra around Dublin during his recent visit to Ireland."

Michael D Higgins: "I met Senor Ortega. He is a friend of mine."

James: "You squired him around Dublin even though his government has been shooting and jailing opponents in Nicaragua."

Michael D Higgins: "The opponents you speak of are the Contras, fascist terrorists illegally financed and trained by the United States in order to overthrow the legitimate government of Nicaragua.."

James: "Your friend Danilo Ortega De Saavedra has shut down the free press."

Michael D Higgins: "Well it's war."

(Twenty seven years after this interview, Mr Higgins is currently in his second term as President of Ireland.)