wfn.org | Elian's Grandmothers Leave Miami for Washington, DC

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

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

Contact: NCC Media Relations, 212-870-2227

NCC1/24/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELIAN'S GRANDMOTHERS LEAVE MIAMI FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.
As They Press Their Case There, NCC General Secretary Edgar 
Continues Miami Effort

 Monday, January 24, 2000, MIAMI, Fla. - Elian 
Gonzalez's grandmothers flew to Washington, D.C., Monday 
night to press their case, having been unable so far to 
secure Miami-based relatives' agreement to their request for 
a visit with their grandson in a neutral place.

 "The grandmothers' goal continues to be to see Elian," 
said the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, National Council of 
Churches General Secretary, who remained in Miami to pursue 
efforts there on the grandmothers' behalf.  "They are 
willing to return to Miami or go anywhere else so long as 
there is agreement on a neutral location for a supervised 
visit with their grandson," not unusual in a custody 
dispute.

Dr. Edgar has designated his delegation co-chair, the 
Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, to travel with Raquel 
Rodriguez and Mariela Quintana, Elian's grandmothers, to 
Washington, D.C., the headquarters for the Department of 
Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service and other 
government bodies.

In Miami, Dr. Edgar will make himself available over 
the next 24 hours to government officials there and 
especially to Lazaro Gonzalez, Elian's great-uncle whose 
family has temporary custody of Elian, in an effort to come 
to an agreement for a visit.

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