Cuban President Fidel Castro is describing Cuban Americans as a
“terrorist mob,” declaring that immigrants to the United States are
“lured by ostentatious luxury and extravagance,” and condemning as
“grotesque” an aborted compromise giving Elian Gonzalez’ relatives
access to the boy.
Castro’s remarks, made during one of Cuba’s largest ever May Day
celebrations, were carried by Radio Habana Cuba, the official
broadcasting service of the Cuban government.
At the rally, Castro revealed details of a last-minute proposal from
Attorney General Janet Reno to Juan Miguel Gonzalaz, Elian’s father.
This proposal was made at 10 pm, April 21, just 7 hours before the raid
on the home of Lazaro Gonzalez, where Elian was staying.
Castro declared that the proposal stipulated that Elian would be
flown to a specified residence in the Washington, D.C., area, that
Elian’s father would have full custody over the boy (except for the
ability to take him out of the country), and that the Miami relatives
would also be able to reside at that residence, although in separate
accommodations.
Castro described the proposal as “grotesque,” amounting to
“imprisonment” and “kidnapping,” reaching a “new state in the
psychological torture of the whole [Gonzalez] family.”
Elian’s Miami relatives — believing they were close to an agreement
— were seeking accommodations for both families in the Miami area,
rather than in Washington, D.C.
Negotiations went no further.
During his May Day speech, Castro stated that before the raid, his
government had continually informed the State Department of the
existence of “numerous armed men” surrounding the home of Elian’s Miami
relatives.
Miami police examined the Lazaro home the day before the raid, but
found nothing unusual. But this conclusion of the Miami police did
nothing to soften what occurred in the early morning hours of Holy
Saturday. The INS raid had the appearance of a drug house bust.
Castro claimed “the chief of the commando force” that took Elian from
his relatives stated there were “numerous armed men around the house,”
and that “the resistance to the raid was perfectly organized.”
In reality, it is clear from photographic and eyewitness accounts
that the raid amounted to a sudden, violent attack on an unsuspecting,
defenseless household.
During his speech, Castro also condemned the order of the Eleventh
Circuit Court of Appeals, which allows Elian to stay in the United
States until his asylum request is determined. Castro described Elian as
a “martyred child,” denouncing the appeals court decision as
“outrageous, biased and overbearing conduct.”
Castro is concerned about the ultimate outcome of the case of Elian
Gonzalez. In his speech, he noted that court procedures could continue
indefinitely, and that well-known public figures were in favor of the
defection of Elian’s father, Juan Miguel. Castro cited remarks from
Texas Gov. George W. Bush and first lady Hillary Clinton, and he once
more took the opportunity to condemn the restrictions “suddenly imposed”
upon Cuban diplomats and visitors from Cuba.
Ending his speech, Castro declared that “the war of ideas we have
been waging ceaselessly for five long months has made us much stronger,”
and that the revolutionary struggle would continue “tirelessly.”
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Castro advances the revolution
Cuba today — what awaits Elian