wfn.org | Elian's Grandmothers' Mission

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Email: ncccusa.org  Web: www.ncccusa.org

Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227

NCC1/26/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC REFLECTS ON ELIAN'S GRANDMOTHERS' BITTERSWEET MISSION
Elian Gonzalez's Return Home to His Father and Grandparents Remains 
Ultimate Goal

 January 26, 2000, MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - As Elian Gonzalez's 
grandmothers returned to the airport following their visit with their 
grandson here this afternoon, their National Council of Churches hosts 
reflected on the grandmothers' U.S. mission and its bittersweet climax.

 "We facilitated the grandmothers' visit to the United States so that 
Americans could hear firsthand their love for their grandson and their 
fervent desire to take him back home with them to his father, 
grandparents, great-grandmother and extended family in Cardenas, Cuba," 
said the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, the NCC's General Secretary.  "That 
mission was accomplished as they witnessed eloquently to their love for 
their `little heart' and their suffering because of his absence."  

Since their arrival from Cuba mid-afternoon Friday, January 21, 
Raquel Rodriguez, Elian's maternal grandmother, and Mariela Quintana, his 
paternal grandmother, shared their message in "a very personal meeting" 
with the U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and INS Commissioner Doris 
Meissner, with members of Congress and through media with the public.

 But the climax of their mission - the grandmothers' private meeting 
with Elian at a neutral site - was achieved only following hours of 
negotiation and, finally, an INS directive to the Miami relatives who 
have temporary custody of Elian to bring him to the meeting.  The 
grandmothers' ultimate goal - to take Elian back to Cuba with them - is 
yet to be realized.

 Following their visit with Elian, the grandmothers headed back to 
Washington, D.C., for more meetings with members of Congress (on 
Wednesday, they brought their case directly to a dozen or more 
representatives and senators, including both Republicans and Democrats).

 The NCC has been working since early December at the request of - 
and in close consultation with - the Cuban Council of Churches to seek a 
way to ease Elian's return to his family in Cuba.  That work began 
quietly but when Elian's return home continued to be met with delays, the 
Council made its effort public.  NCC representatives traveled to Cuba 
Jan. 2-5 to meet with Elian's father and other close family members and 
reaffirmed their humanitarian concern that Elian be reunited quickly with 
his Cardenas family.  The INS Jan. 5 affirmed the father's right to 
custody and ordered Elian's return home by Jan. 14, but the Miami 
relatives are fighting the order.  This further delay led to the 
grandmothers' decision to bring their plea for Elian's return to the U.S. 
in person.  

As the grandmothers' mission concludes and the NCC hosts return to 
their offices, Dr. Edgar reaffirmed that the Council remains available if 
its further help is needed to realize Elian's return to his father.
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