Sunday Morning News

In Cuba, Emotions Grow Stronger Over Elian Gonzalez's Absence

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KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this morning in Havana where there was another noisy demonstration demanding the return of Cuba's Elian Gonzalez. Some demonstrators believe the six-year-old boy is being held hostage by Fidel Castro's enemies in Miami. But as the crowds demonstrated in Havana, correspondent Martin Savidge reports on some of the behind-the-scenes efforts to resolve the international custody dispute over Elian.

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MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A high level Cuban source has confirmed that the U.S. and Cuba have held informal talks about the boy at the heart of a political whirlwind. Cuba wanted to know whether the U.S. could guarantee Elian's father would not face any legal action if he traveled to the United States. Reportedly, U.S. officials said they could make no such promise.

The same source says both of the boys Cuban grandmothers have said they are willing to make the journey in the father's place. They would not be subject to subpoena since they're not Elian's legal guardians. But reportedly they would only make the trip for the express purpose of escorting the boy home to Cuba.

In the streets of Havana it was another day of demonstration. Tens of thousands of Cubans converged on an intersection in the heart of the city to protest against the young boy's delayed return.

UNIDENTIFIED CUBAN: They know they are committing a crime. Legally the boy belongs to his father and grandparents.

SAVIDGE: Shaking paper Cuban flags in unison, their chants would alter between "Freedom for Elian!" or "Elian, Our Friend, the Country Is With You!" On the stage, performers and speakers sang and talked of the young child Cubans call el nino sequestrado, the kidnapped boy.

UNIDENTIFIED CUBAN: Elian has become a symbol of injustice and inhumanity.

SAVIDGE: This is the second massive and heavily orchestrated demonstration in Havana in as many days.

(on camera): There is an interesting history that's associated with the site where yesterday's rally had taken place. It is the very spot, 12th and 23rd Streets, in the middle of Havana where, in 1961 Cuban President Fidel Castro outlined his plan for socialism. That was during the early years of the revolution, during dark days of confrontation with the United States.

Meanwhile, Sunday here in Cuba is a traditional day that families gather together to be with one another. They'll collect in a number of parks throughout the city or stand in long lines outside the capea (ph) waiting for ice cream. No doubt many of them will be thinking about the young boy back in America who has lost his mother and remains separated from his father but has been adopted by an entire nation.

Reporting live, Martin Savidge, CNN, Havana.

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