By Associated Press, 04/06/00

The translation of Juan Miguel Gonzalez's remarks in Spanish as he arrived Thursday at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, as transcribed by eMediaMillWorks, Inc.:

Good morning. Message to the American people: I've just arrived in Washington where I hope I will be soon able to embrace my son, Elian Gonzalez Broton, for the first time in over four months.

I'm here with my wife and 6-month-old son. This is Elian's true family and we love him very much.

For 137 days I have endured (inaudible) separation from my son. Never before the anguishing days since Nov. 22 did he have more need for a father and family, his friend and his school.

As if his mother's disappearance before his eyes and the miracle of his arrival have not inflicted enough damage on a 5-year-old boy, he has had to spend time under the temporary custody of some distant relatives who had never seen him before.

I made an appeal to the U.S. authorities to have my son returned to me, but it was not until Jan. 5 that in compliance with international law, the INS recognized the unquestionable principle of parental rights and (inaudible) as is common practice in such cases, the child should be returned to the father.

However, that decision has not been forced but rather subjected to endless confusing legal procedures.

Finally, last March 21, a U.S. federal court ruled in favor of what should have never been questioned.

It's been an agonizing experience to see my son submitted to cruel psychological pressures aimed at influencing his personality already weakened by the terrible trauma.

Worst still, Elian's been paraded and exhibited in public rallies and by the media with a clear intent to obtain political advantage from this tragedy.

Politicians, journalists, lawyers, (inaudible) agents and others unrelated to the family have been harassing my son. (inaudible) television interview, (inaudible) without my consent, have shown their cruelty to him and the damage caused.

My telephone calls to my son from Cuba are often jeopardized and when we do communicate I (inaudible) the child.

I don't know who are the doctors and psychologists caring for my son -- I don't know who are the doctors and psychologists caring for my son or the treatment and medications he has been taking.

Although on four different occasions I have submitted regular requests for information, I have not received a response.

In the last few days my family and I have been alarmed to see the passion (inaudible) in Miami and danger displayed on television that make us fear for the safety of my son.

I am truly impatient to have him returned to me as soon as possible and go back to Cuba together immediately.

However, I have been told that I should still wait for two other months before I can take Elian back to his small hometown, Cardenas, where he was growing up well-loved and cared for.

In the face of this new and (inaudible) delay, I have asked the U.S. government to allow me to come here with a small group of Elian's classmates and teachers as well as psychologists, pediatricians and nurses who would help me care for him and assist those other children who have been following every step of the situation.

Also leader from our country, who has been like a brother giving me advice and support through our long days of pain and uncertainty.

Anyone understands that in the process where my son Elian recovers from his trauma, I can be guided only (inaudible) of love.

I will also need the counseling of specialists and a propitious environment with his classmates and teachers to help him back to his old routine of family life, schooling and playing with his friends.

Despite everything I have been through since last Nov. 22, I am confident of the U.S. authorities will not allow that my son and my family continue to be heard, and I beg them to understand the reason why I'm asking to be accompanied by those children and professionals.

I can't forget that what my family's (inaudible) suffering reached an unimaginable limit, all of the Cuban people and authorities were there for us.

At this moment I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the American people who have been overwhelmingly (inaudible) in favor that my son being returned to me.

Thank you.