THE President, Mrs McAleese, and President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico met for 45 minutes yesterday for a wide-ranging discussion that touched on world affairs, the peace process in Northern Ireland, human rights and the virtues of patience in avoiding violent conflict.
In a briefing afterwards, Mrs McAleese said she and Mr Zedillo focused on two issues, the escalating crisis in Kosovo and the Northern Ireland situation.
Of Kosovo, she said they discussed at length the fears and worries they had and the speed of the international community response.
"We hope this conflict will have a speedy resolution, that people will be returned to their homes. We talked about concern for the plight of the Kosovo people, who have suffered from Milosevic and how he has treated them. Is there a way back for them? Our big worry was how you round this thing off."
President Zedillo asked for her views on Northern Ireland.
President McAleese said she anticipated a radical transformation of the landscape and felt that dialogue was critical. "We talked about how John Hume maintained this mantra of dialogue and non-violence, about how unpopular it was when John Hume talked with Gerry Adams," she said. Mr Zedillo is a strong proponent of dialogue and patience.
Mrs McAleese was asked about whether she and Mr Zedillo discussed Mexico's ongoing human rights challenges as it dealt with a continuing volatile uprising in the state of Chiapas.
Mr Zedillo recognised problems in Chiapas, said Mrs McAleese. "We discussed that the way forward is not through repression. Violence is not the answer. If you fail to listen to concerns, Rambostyle politics is a recipe for ongoing bitterness."
The meeting with Mr Zedillo was followed by the signing of two agreements on educational and cultural exchanges.
Mrs McAleese and her delegation were welcomed by Mr Zedillo in the majestic sun-drenched courtyard of the Palacio Nacional, complete with red carpet, military honour guard and brass band. Mrs McAleese greeted the commandant of the Mexican Guard and shook hands with schoolchildren.
She said the imminent opening of an Irish Embassy in Mexico City was part of the growing relationship of trade and exchange between the two countries.