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Sunday Morning News

Elian Gonzalez Case: Miami Relatives Denied Access to 6-Year- Old at Andrews Air Force Base

Aired April 23, 2000 - 11:00 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: For 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez, this was a whole new day. He, his father, his stepmother and half-brother spent the night at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

Kate Snow is at the base for us -- Kate.

KATE SHOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Gene, we haven't seen much of them this morning. No big surprise because security very tight here at Andrews Air Force Base. No one gets in and out unless they have permission, which is exactly why the family members from Miami who travelled here yesterday to try to see Elian again were denied access yesterday.

That family holding a news conference a short time ago, a very lengthy news conference, talking very emotionally and pleading with the government with their side of the story. They say that the government treated them badly. They're complaining that Attorney General Janet Reno and President Clinton used too much force in this seizing of Elian early yesterday morning. They said no court had ordered this transfer, and that's why they objected to it.

The father -- rather, the uncle, the great-uncle, who's been caring for Elian, Lazaro Gonzalez, spoke. So did Marisleysis Gonzalez, the second cousin who has been sort of a surrogate mother to Elian these long five months. And they said that they were upset and that they weren't going to leave. They wanted to see Elian.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARISLEYSIS GONZALEZ, ELIAN GONZALEZ'S COUSIN: I will not leave until I see this boy. His father could have done this in a very peaceful way. We've always wanted to see him. My doors have always been open to everybody. Thousands of press have been out there. And the reason they have been there is not to publicate (ph) this kid, because we knew that this country would do this, and it did happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Marisleysis went on to say that they are not going to leave Washington, D.C. until they have a chance to visit with Elian and his father.

Now, the attorney on the other side for Elian and Juan Miguel Gonzalez -- rather, for Juan Miguel Gonzalez -- has said all along that visitation might be possible, but right now in the heat of the moment may not be the time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREGORY CRAIG, ATTY. FOR JUAN MIGUEL GONZALEZ: In my view, it's very difficult to schedule reunification meetings in this kind of an atmosphere. And I would urge the relatives in Miami, if they truly want to get back together with Juan Miguel and his family, that they give me a call and let's talk about timing. Let's discuss this in a civilized way rather than having national press conferences where demands are made without notice, without discussion, without sensitivity. That's not good for this child.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: And we have word in that the relatives from Miami may well be trying to head out here towards Andrews Air Force Base again this morning as they did yesterday to try to gain access. I can tell you that a base spokesman tells me that unless they have permission, they won't get in. They are on a 100-percent ID enforcement. In other words, they are identifying -- asking for identification from anyone who wants to enter the base, and if they don't have permission or prior authorization to go in, they won't get inside.

Kate Snow, CNN, reporting live at Andrews Air Force Base.

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