Elian's dad applies for a Visa to visit United States
By Associated Press, 03/30/00
WASHINGTON - The father of Elian Gonzalez today applied for a visa to travel to the United States from Cuba to regain custody of his son, as the U.S. government and the 6-year-old boy's Miami relatives resumed talks to end the 4-month-old legal dispute.
Attorney Gregory Craig submitted the visa application on behalf of Juan Miguel Gonzalez, his wife and other family members.
"The only person that has the legal and moral authority to speak for Elian Gonzalez is his father," Craig told reporters. "Juan Miguel Gonzalez is ready at a moment's notice to come to the United States."
Craig said Elian's father would travel to the United States as soon as he is assured that he will be given custody of his son. "The time has come for the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) to make those assurances," Craig said.
The attorney said U.S. officials had negotiated patiently with the boy's Miami relatives to arrange a prompt, orderly transfer of custody to the father.
"We fear that the negotiations have failed," he said. "The relatives in Miami do not speak for Elian. The lawyers in Miami do not speak for Elian."
The government has demanded that the Miami relatives agree to surrender Elian if they lose their court fight to keep him.
Both sides met for five hours late Wednesday, then resumed talking this morning. There was no comment from either side today.
Late Wednesday, the INS delayed the revocation of Elian's temporary residency status 24 hours, until 9 a.m. Friday.
When Juan Miguel Gonzalez receives word that he will be able to take custody of his son, Craig said, he also would seek permission to allow the boy's classmates, teacher and doctors to travel to the United States to "help smooth the transition."
The attorney also accused the Miami relatives of exploiting the boy's case in the media.
"The circumstances that now surround Elian's life in Miami, including the decision to allow camera crews into Elian's bedroom, the decision to permit a network news program to film a two-day interview with Elian without the father's permission, and the decision just last night to parade Elian in front of demonstrators in the streets of Miami, make it clear that Elian's best interests lie with his father," Craig said.
Elian has been living with his great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez, who has said he would be willing to release Elian to his father if Juan Miguel Gonzalez came to Florida from Cuba. He said he would not deliver the boy to the INS.
Apparently calling the great-uncle's bluff, Cuban President Fidel Castro said Wednesday that not only would the father go to the United States, he would stay for the entire court process as the Miami relatives appeal federal orders to surrender custody of the boy.
It was the first time anyone has said the father was ready to come to the United States immediately and stay for the court fight.
"The passports are ready," Castro said. "And of course the airplane is ready."
The Cuban government today issued a list of 31 people who would accompany Juan Miguel Gonzalez, including his wife and their 6-month-old son -- Elian's half brother -- as well as Elian's first-grade teacher and some classmates.
Elian Gonzalez is carried in the arms of his cousin Marisleysis Gonzalez March 24 in Miami. (AP photo)
