>from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >subject: Fidel- Remarks at Round Table April 2 > >REMARKS BY DR. FIDEL CASTRO RUZ, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA, >AT THE INFORMATION ROUNDTABLE ORGANIZED BY YOUTHS AND STUDENTS ON >APRIL 2, 2000 > >On March 22, 24 hours after Federal Court Judge Michael Moore >announced his historic and fair verdict, we expressed to the U.S. >authorities our concern and that of Eli�n Gonz�lez�s father and other >close relatives on the risk of psychological and even physical harm >that could be intentionally inflicted on the child, given the violent >nature and the usual impunity and disdain for the law showed by the >mob surrounding the family that was holding Eli�n captive, once they >realized that their cause had legally, morally and politically >failed. > >The official note, drafted in the most sincerely constructive spirit, >added: "Although there are great and profound differences between the >United States and Cuba on a number of issues, we harbor the hope that >in this particular and delicate matter, which in our view could be >close to a just and reasonable solution, both countries will >understand the commonn duty to foresee truly calamitous risks that >are wholly possible." > >Despite our conviction that it would be advisable to issue an >immediate public denunciation with regard to this matter, we >abstained from doing so at the request of the very U.S. authorities >who received our message, in order to "prevent tempers from becoming >even more heated in this complex situation." For several days, we did >not say a word about the matter. > >We did not doubt the good intentions of the U.S. government >executive, which clearly desired an honorable solution for this >shameful problem. It is also clear from recent events that there are >honorable people among that country� s federal judges. > >The highly irregular and scandalous disregard for the INS� orders >showed by the Miami mob organizations and their increasingly loud >threats, combined with an outrageous and despicable publicity >campaign aimed at swaying the opinion of the vast majority of the >U.S. public which favor the returning of Eli�n to Cuba and restoring >his father�s unquestionable rights, made it inevitable for us to make >public our concerns on the mental and physical risks for the child. > >However, our words were intentionally distorted. No mention was made >of our accusations against the Cuban-American mob as being >principally responsible for the crisis that has been created and the >dangers to the child brought about by such crisis. We were portrayed >as holding the family exclusively responsible for these dangers. This >made it necessary for us to clarify and clearly specify the sources >of information and arguments on which we based our fully justified >fears. > >It soon became obvious that chaos reigned in Miami. There were >even counterrevolutionary leaders who spoke of a possible massacre, >like the one in Waco, Texas. The mayors of Miami themselves publicly >declared their insubordination and disobedience of the federal >government�s orders, announcing that the police forces under their >control would not take part in any action whatsoever with the >Washington authorities. > >The house where Eli�n is being held was under siege by a permanent >guard of organized provocateurs threatening to forcibly resist any >legal procedures undertaken to comply with a court ruling or >administrative orders related to the illegal detention of the child. >The simple idea of provoking a scandal that would generate images of >the use of force was the ideal weapon for the provocateurs in the >midst of an electoral year. The key element to consider was not >justice, but downright spurious electoral interests. This had led all >of the candidates and potential candidates to unanimously >pronounce themselves in favor of unlawfulness and injustice, which >further fuelled the audacity and arrogance of the mob organizations. > >Meanwhile, throughout almost an entire week a popular television >program, calling into question the most basic ethics that should >govern the role of the mass media, exacerbated emotions in both Cuba >and the United States by showing clearly biased and negative serial >reporting. Scenes of blatant psychological torture and abuse of a >young child, and irrefutable proof of his kidnapping, were seen by >millions of people both in the United States and elsewhere. > >Still, this did not diminish the support of the American people for >the return of Eli�n to his father, his closest relatives and his >homeland. Our people will certainly be grateful for that. > >For days on end, the INS� efforts were opposed one by one as they >attempted to obtain from the plaintiffs in Miami, and their large >contingent of lawyers, a simple pledge to comply with the courts� >ruling and return the child in an orderly and peaceful way in the >event that the courts ruled against their demands. This in itself is >the obligation of every citizen, that is, to comply with the law. > >The international public has watched in amazement the events taking >place in the heart of a country so powerful and influential in the >fate of the world. The latest incident was the highly unusual case of >a vice president and presidential candidate from the ruling party >who, as part of his competition with the rival candidate, has taken >sides with those showing contempt for the law and the government�s >provisions in calling on the lawmakers of his own party to support a >bill put forward by their adversaries in the Senate aimed at denying >the courts their right to decide the case. > >Major publications and television networks, which could never be >suspected of sympathizing with Cuba, have been harshly critical of >such events and some have even recognized the constructive spirit and >viability of the offer made by Cuba, after consultations with and >consent from Eli�n�s father, Juan Miguel Gonz�lez, and his family. > >This offer, which was received with interest and respect not only in >our country but also in the United States and elsewhere, is presently >the only rational and honorable solution to the complicated and >apparently unsolvable problem created by the kidnapping of Eli�n. > >Based on the obvious fact that the position of those who created the >problem is totally unsustainable from a legal, ethical and even >political point of view and that the overwhelming majority of the >U.S. and world public are in favor of returning the child to his >father without further delay, the proposed formula should be >seriously and promptly analyzed, for it is no longer possible to keep >up the torture of the child and the suffering of his real family. >This problem is also emotionally and psychologically >inflicting damage on millions of Cuban children, mothers, fathers, >grandmothers and grandfathers. It can be said that it is damaging all >of the Cuban people whose unshakable determination and fighting >spirit nobody should doubt. > >Both, the child�s father and the Cuban authorities have made a >major concession, although they do not recognize the jurisdiction of >the U.S. courts to decide on a case which, in accordance with >international law and standards can only be decided in the courts of >the country where the child is from. Without renouncing this >principle, which has just been recognized through a verdict issued by >a U.S. court of law in relation to the case of a Jordanian-American >child, it has been agreed that Eli�n�s father will travel to the >United States with his wife and youngest son to take over custody >of Eli�n, until the Atlanta court reaches a decision and the sentence >is firm. > >Nothing further can be done to cooperate in seeking for a solution to >a problem created by the U.S. authorities themselves, who should have >never turned the child over to a distant relative instead of >returning him to Cuba as soon as he was identified, and who so far >have failed to be firm enough to obtain immediate compliance with the >INS decision, ratified by the Attorney General and consecrated by a >federal court judge. > >The relevant executive powers have until now not been relinquished. >It is only the electoral interests and the defiance of the Cuban- >American terrorist mob that can explain the crime committed against a >Cuban child, who has already been caused considerable psychological >harm. > >It has been said that Juan Miguel will have to remain in the United >States for at least two months, but that does not take into account >the appeals, tricks and delays of all kinds to which Eli�n�s >unpunished kidnappers will presumably resort. > >The fact that Eli�n�s father would not travel to Miami, where all >manner of hostility and danger were lying in wait for him --including >the risk of being detained indefinitely on the basis of McCarthyism >procedures still enforced in that country--the sole argument wielded >in the attempt to discredit and slander him, with the claim that he >was not in the least bit interested in his son. They chose to ignore >the brutal actions carried out there against all targets of the >powerful Cuban-American terrorist mob�s hatred. > > That Mafia perfidiously accused Juan Miguel and his family of being >hostages of the Cuban government while promising him that everything >would be resolved, that he would be given back his son together with >countless privileges and riches if he agreed to renounce his homeland >and defect, something truly repugnant to a man of his character and >deepest beliefs. In a telephone conversation he had with his cousin >Marisleysis as early as December 11, barely two weeks after the >kidnapping --a conversation made public here on Friday where his >dignity clearly shows-- Juan Miguel bitterly denounced the attempts >to bribe him from the very first days of this episode. Moreover, >because of his refusal to travel to Miami, he was accused of being a >coward as well. > >But the outcome was not exactly what the rogues of the terrorist >Mafia had expected. Therefore, when his willingness to travel to the >United States was announced, as it was felt that the time had come >for him to resume custody of his child --according to the INS >decision and Judge Moore's ruling-- and remain with him in the United >States for as long as necessary, new pretexts and threats were raised >together with hysterical resounding refusals to surrender him. All >this developed in an increasingly chaotic and uncontrollable >situation in Miami City. > >It was said that he had to go for his boy to the house where the >child was being kept surrounded by rogues, in whose case they would >surrender him only if he wanted to go. They were convinced that the >child would refuse since they trusted he would react as a tamed >little animal subjected for four months to pressures and >psychological torture as well as to attempts to buy his attention >with the most varied and sophisticated toys. > >Although the Mafia was paralyzed when it learned that Juan Miguel >would be travelling to the United States, as soon as it was known >that he would be staying with his family and others at the residence >of the head of our Interests Section, they stated that they would >never surrender the child in a place which is Cuban territory since >he would not be free there but just a prisoner of the Cuban >government. > >According to them, the Cuban people traveling with Juan Miguel >to immediately begin working on the recovery of the child were Cuban >security agents assigned for surveillance. The number of people >accompanying the family was questioned while the old idea was brought >back again that Juan Miguel traveled alone with his wife, who is >breastfeeding a six-month-old baby, and perhaps Eli�n�s favorite >cousin who is in fifth grade of grammar school. > >As they are used to rallies attended by hardly over a hundred people, >the 30 persons traveling with Juan Miguel to Washington seemed like a >large crowd to them. On the other hand, no advisor could accompany >the young and humble father, who has never traveled to the United >States; he should manage alone in that enormous and complex country >that he knows so little. According to them, he should go and stay in >a hotel room, live there for months and, perhaps then, they would >surrender to him his child so badly in need of urgent physic and >psychological care, while waiting in such predicament for long and >endless months. > >It is annoying just to think that anyone might believe our country >would be willing to accept such outrageous conditions. Even a >government spokesman, undoubtedly misguided by a provoking question, >spoke of threats and pressures in President Castro�s offer and of a >�long litany�, as he qualified the list of 12 six-year-old children >-only two are seven years old-- two teachers who educated the boy in >kindergarten and first grade and a specialized group of >psychologists, psychiatrists and other medical doctors and two >experienced nurses to conduct a noble and humane work at no cost for >the U.S. government. > >The public opinion in that nation found it a satisfactory offer and >so it was respectfully welcomed. Likewise, the U.S. authorities as >well as outstanding and prestigious political figures have expressed >their hopes that the father�s presence can decisively contribute to >solving the embarrassing issue. This is an encouragement for us to >persevere in our efforts. > >However, those bent on setting obstacles to the father�s presence >in America, the same who are disseminating ridiculous and demeaning >slanders should know that Juan Miguel has absolutely no fear. In our >country nobody is fearful, not even the children and their parents >who are eager to help Eli�n. Everyone of them, without exceptions, >have been supportive and the school in Cardenas where Eli�n studied >with over 800 students are anxious to see their famous little >classmate back, and they would all volunteer to take a place with the >twelve selected children. > >Twelve children were chosen among his closest classmates because that >was the minimum required, according to outstanding pedagogues, to >establish a functional classroom to meet Eli�n�s needs. His two >teachers, well known and loved by Eli�n from kindergarten and first >grade, are considered indispensable. A properly qualified group of >psychologists, psychiatrists and other medicine specialists working >as a team would provide care not only to Eli�n but also to his >family, among them Juan Miguel�s wife, Eli�n�s baby brother and his >12 classmates whose parents hold us accountable for the continuation >of their studies and the preservation of their health. > >If the kidnappers� pretext, and that of the supporting mob and >extreme right to avoid returning the child to his father and to urge >the authorities not to grant the visas, is that they would never >surrender the boy to a residence considered Cuban territory, our >Interests Section in Washington is willing to relinquish that >residence�s diplomatic immunity; after all, it would not be the first >time we do it. > >Nobody would dare do anything against those children who would be >protected by the American public opinion, the honor of the country >and all the men and women working in our Interests Section in the >U.S. capital who would be ready to give their own lives for them. >Eleven million Cubans would remain here as a guarantee that nobody in >the world would dare to even touch those children. > >As we have no time to loose, just tomorrow --that is, Monday-- as >soon as the U.S. Interests Section in Havana is opened, we shall >apply for visas for 28 people --after writing off the list three >people, since their tasks could be performed by other team members-- >who together with Juan Miguel and his family will conform a working >group. > >The plane will be ready for departure on Tuesday, provided the visas >applied for were ready by then. We rather have everything ready >before Eli�n is handed over. Therefore, Juan Miguel, his wife and >baby, and Eli�n�s 10 years old cousin will be accompanied by 10 boys >and girls who are 6 years old, 2 others who are 7 years old and 2 >teachers for a total of 18 people; also, 9 medical specialists, that >is, psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and nurses, as well >as the person who has been the father�s advisor for four months. > >We do not want that any of those Cuban children go without medical >care as it is the case with millions in that country, mostly >Hispanics and Afro-Americans. We hope nobody finds any reason to say >this is a terrible commando intended to land in the United States, >kidnap Eli�n and destabilize that nation. > >Juan Miguel, the boy�s father and the only one with full custody >rights, has asked me to make public his position with regards to all >that has been recently said to question his honor, his dignity, his >love for his son and the reasons for which he requested to be >accompanied by the children and other people. Juan Miguel has said >the following: > >"If they were willing to surrender the child for immediate return to >Cuba, I would be ready to travel tomorrow, Monday April 3, absolutely >alone, to any place in the United States of America and go from the >airport to any place where my child might be to fetch him, then >return to the airport and right back to Cuba. However, I refuse to >talk to any kidnapper and I am not willing to accept any conditions, >least of all any publicity show on Eli�n�s return. It is up to the >U.S. government to decide whether it prefers this option. > >"If I were to travel to the United States to receive Eli�n but only >to stay there waiting for two months with my wife who is >breastfeeding and caring for my other son --a six months baby >sensitive to the tensions endured by his mother-- and a cousin who >studies in fifth grade of grammar school who would stand to fail his >school year due to his help in the recovery of my son, severely >traumatized by a shipwreck and four months of psychological pressures >and political and publicity manipulations including 8 hours of >a shameful televised interview, then it should be understood that it >is my right to create the minimum conditions required and to receive >the support of Eli�n�s classmates and teachers and highly qualified >people of my full confidence to help me in this task and my whole >mission in America. Otherwise, such a trip would be senseless". > >This is the full content of his message. > >Last Friday, during the latest roundtable, Marisleysis, the distant >cousin who suddenly found a son that she had never seen before, as a >gift from Heaven expecting a miracle to keep him with her --as if God >shared her views about family and justice-- bathed in moving tears >that made us all fear that she could choke, said that she would like >to visit the child but was afraid that we would never allow it. > >If she really felt the need to see Eli�n whose presence, according to >her, has been the greatest thing that ever happened to her, or if she >sincerely believed that it would hurt the child to be separated from >her after four months of kidnapping, she should know that she can >visit our country as many times as she likes, every weekend if she so >wishes. Our people are deeply irritated and they condemn what has >happened but they are not spiteful or vindictive and they would never >be hostile to her in anyway. Our noble and humane people respect >everything that might seem noble and humane and although only Eli�n�s >father and grandparents would have the final word on that, I know >them well enough to think that being decent people concerned only >about their dearest Eli�n�s happiness and wellbeing they would >be generous and forgiving. > >If our offer to the United States were implemented with all >transparency and sincerity, it would be perfectly possible to reach >an honorable and reasonable solution. That would be of benefit not >only to Eli�n, his father and family but also to the United States of >America. > >That child is undoubtedly running not only a mental risk due to >the suffering he has endured so far and will continue to endure in >his painful captivity, but his life is also in danger. The sooner he >is returned to his father, the lesser the moral risks for the United >States whose government cannot ignore what that criminal Mafia can >do. If anything happened to that boy, an indelible blemish would >forever taint that nation. > >If the appropriate and possible solution were attained, Cuba would >certainly be pleased by its accomplishment but it would not be misled >to forget that the causes for this and other similar or worse >tragedies than Eli�n�s have not been addressed and it will continue >to relentlessly fight for as long as these and many other causes of >humiliation, suffering and great damages to our people throughout 40 >years are removed. > >Everything has been said very clearly. We hope it can be useful."JC > > __________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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