CHICAGO, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- President Julio Maria Sanguinetti of Uruguay has graciously offered to mediate in the Elian Gonzalez matter. In a letter delivered by diplomatic pouch to father's rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving, President Sanguinetti cautioned that all parties must agree to
his participation.
President Sanguinetti is the latest dignitary to respond to Mr. Leving's public appeal for a mediated resolution in this highly emotional debate. Former President Jimmy Carter previously declined Leving's invitation to lead a mediation team. In President Carter's own words, "I am totally
and publicly in favor of the boy being returned to his father in Cuba, so I lack the neutrality expected of a mediator."
For more information, contact Laura Reichel for Jeffery Leving, Ltd., 312-339-4225 or pager, 888-861-3940.
The following is the translation of the original letter from President Sanguinetti:
Dear Dr. Leving:
I acknowledge receipt of your January 26 letter requesting that I act as a mediator in the case involving the Cuban child Elian Gonzalez. Precisely because of the humanitarian aspects of this situation, I wish to express my best disposition to contribute within my possibilities to the solution
of this complex matter.
As you are surely aware, the Government of Uruguay is particularly sensitive to all issues related to children's rights and we have been very active in regional and worldwide meetings in which legal instruments and treaties have been adopted in this area.
With regard to any activities I may eventually assume in the Elian Gonzalez case, please take into account that any good offices or mediation on my part can only take place with the acceptance of the parties involved.
I feel very honored by your request and want to thank you specially for believing that my intervention can contribute to reach a solution that, as you state, must take into account the best interests of the child.
Sincerely,
Julio Maria Sanguinetti
SOURCE Law Offices of Jeffery Leving
CO: Law Offices of Jeffery Leving
ST: Illinois, Uruguay, Cuba
IN:
SU: LAW
02/11/2000 08:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com |