By Anita Snow, .c The Associated Prs
CARDENAS, Cuba 8 (AP) - After an emotional day remembering his son, the father of Elian Gonzalez angrily denounced a U.S. lawmaker's attempt to prevent the 6-year-old boy's return to Cuba.
At a rally by tens of thousands of people from the boy's hometown, Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, told the crowd Friday of the ``hard and difficult days'' he has suffered because of the bitter tussle over his son.
Marked by tears, songs and personal recollections, the rally was the most emotional demonstration since the international custody battle over Elias began. Elian was found on an inner tube floating off the coast of Florida on Thanksgiving Day, after his mother drowned in an attempt to flee to the
United States.
The U.S. government ordered Elian's return to Cuba by Jan. 14, but on Friday Rep. Dan Burton subpoenaed the boy to testify before a congressional committee, in an attempt to keep him in the country. Also Friday, one of Elian's Miami relatives sought to become his legal guardian.
The elder Gonzalez was angered by Burton's move.
``What right does that man have?'' he told a news conference after the rally in Cardenas. ``I am the father of Elian and immigration has said that I am the only one who can speak for him
``Why should it be delayed? Who is he? He is no one. I am the father.''
During the rally in a a seaside plaza, Gonzalez and Elian's four grandparents and great-grandmother began weeping as a Cuban band sang of his drowned mother.
``Elian, Cardenas awaits you ... with kisses,'' a Cuban band sang.
Gonzalez looked particularly exhausted and distraught, his eyes red from crying.
Speakers at the rally included classmates from Elian's elementary school, his teacher, his school principal, and the doctor who has been caring for him since he was a baby.
In a homage to the small boy with dark eyes who loves all things that fly, two kites sailed high over the rally.
During the rally, many of the young children broke down in tears and were carried out by parents or members of the Red Cross.
Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba's National Assembly, encouraged the crowd to keep protesting until the boy is back with his father.
``We cannot call a truce yet,'' Alarcon said, warning that exiles in Miami were trying to delay the child's return. ``We cannot let down our guard until the kidnapping of Elian comes to an end.''
Elian's great-uncle, Lazaro Gonzalez of Miami, has temporary custody of the boy and wants to keep him permanently in the United States. He says he can give Elian a better life off the communist island.
Lawyers filed a petition Friday asking that Lazaro Gonzalez be named his guardian, a position that would allow him to seek asylum for the young boy. Elian's father is now his guardian.
AP-NY-01-08-00 0141EST
Copyright 2000 The Associated Press |