We all feel very strongly that Elian's life will be destroyed if he is sent to the custody of Fidel Castro in Cuba. That's what this is about, protecting this child from harm.

239

Child custody has always been a state responsibility. Now, the federal government and the attorney general are trying to all of a sudden take that away, without ever interviewing the child.

222

We have immediately sent a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno and to the White House, requesting that the attorney general review and reverse this decision; that the attorney general review the process under which it was determined; and that the attorney general and the White House assure Elian Gonzalez of due process of law.

197

INS has asked Lazaro Gonzalez to sign a piece of paper guaranteeing that he'll do anything they tell him to do. No attorney would ever advise a client to sign such an open-ended guarantee.

159