U.S. lawmakers: Castros want to talk

WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- A delegation of U.S. lawmakers, returning to Washington from a trip to Cuba, says Raul and Fidel Castro want to talk to the United States.

But members of the Congressional Black Caucus said Tuesday they didn't talk to the Cuban leaders about making possible concessions on bilateral issues, The Miami Herald reported.

"We didn't get into any of the details," said caucus chairwoman U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. "We just want to see a dialogue. You don't have to offer anything to talk."

The visit marked the first time Raul Castro had met with U.S. officials since he took over the reins of the island nation from his older brother Fidel, who also met three caucus delegation members. They described the longtime former president as "very engaging, very energetic … very talkative," the Herald said.

"It's time to talk to Cuba," Lee said during a news conference. "We are convinced, based on the meetings, that the Cubans do want dialogue, they do want talks and they do want normal relations with the United States of America and I believe it's in the United States' best interest to do that."