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Sunday Morning News

Elian Gonzalez Custody Case: Cuba Remains Calm in Wake of Father-Son Reunion

Aired April 23, 2000 - 8:34 a.m. ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: More now from Cuba from CNN's Martin Savidge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some of the first Cubans to hear of the news out of Miami were employees of Havana's tourist hotels, among the few places news generated from outside Cuba is allowed to be shown.

UNIDENTIFIED CUBAN-AMERICAN: It had come to this point. I think the situation would have continued. Everything would have continued to have been delayed. I think the situation needed a drastic reaction.

SAVIDGE: Most Cubans got their information from the government controlled broadcast media. First, on Radio Rebelde, then in a communique read on Cuban television.

UNIDENTIFIED BROADCASTER: The Cuban government informs us that at 5:05 in the morning, a government operation of the United States entered the residence of Lazaro Gonzalez in Miami and took into their hands the kidnapped boy, Elian Gonzalez.

SAVIDGE: Cuban TV also broadcast images of the operation that seized Elian from the Miami home where he had been staying as well as the disturbances on Miami's streets that followed. The Cuban government encouraged people here to remain calm, saying there should be no spontaneous celebrations in the street, claiming such images could harm Elian's case in the legal struggle that still lies ahead.

Most people in Havana went about a typical Saturday, pleased by the news but not jubilant.

UNIDENTIFIED CUBAN-AMERICAN: I think the people are happy. I expect the boy will be brought home soon with his father to our country, which is his real homeland.

UNIDENTIFIED CUBAN-AMERICAN: It was abusive what they were doing with that child and this action should have been taken a long time ago.

SAVIDGE (on camera): There's no question the government controlled media were quick to show and tell of developments out of Miami, as Cuban President Fidel Castro has used the plight of Elian Gonzalez to his political advantage. But though Castro may be pleased, many Cubans say for them the celebration won't begin until Elian Gonzalez is back on Cuban soil.

Martin Savidge, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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