"They are capable of killing him rather than return him safe and sound to the country," Castro said of Miami's Cuban-American exiles as he wrapped up a 1½-hour speech. He spoke before more than 700 pro-government university students.
Castro suggested that the exiles could expose the child to a serious illness in an act of vengeance against Elian's father or the Cuban government, which have been battling for his repatriation. He also said that according to "reliable sources in Miami," the child's "kidnappers" had discussed moving the child to another location or even a third country to prevent his return to Cuba.
Wearing his trademark olive green military uniform, the 73-year-old leader seemed more confident than ever since he launched the battle four months ago to win back Elian for his father and the fatherland – and conquer his anti-communist enemies in Miami in the process. Previously, he has warned citizens not to get too hopeful while Elian's U.S. relatives exhausted their legal avenues.
At stake has been more than the repatriation of a little boy. Castro's assertion of dominance over the exiles has been key. So has his ability to use the case to rally citizens – especially young ones – behind him and against the Miami-based exiles typically referred to here as "the mafia" or "worms."
U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore's dismissal on Tuesday of the family's lawsuit seeking to block Elian's repatriation was "just and moral," Castro said.
Castro said the boy should be back in Cuba within three weeks, depending upon what other legal or political maneuvers the Miami relatives attempt.
The U.S. Justice Department late Friday told Elian's relatives in Miami that they have until noon Monday to agree to an expedited appeal or the boy will be returned rapidly to his father in Cuba, according to family spokesman Armando Gutierrez.
In Washington, a federal official close to the case confirmed that the Justice Department plans to give the family's lawyers until April 3 to prepare and file their appeal.
Elian has been at the center of an international tug-of-war since late November, when he was rescued by fishermen who found him lashed to an innertube bobbing off the Florida coast. Elian's mother and 10 others perished when their boat sank during the journey from Cuba to the United States.
In Miami, Elian was turned over to his great-uncle, who is now fighting for the right to raise him, saying he can give him a better life off the communist island. But his father and four grandparents, backed by Castro, have demanded the child's return to his native country.
For four months, the Miami relatives have successfully blocked the child's repatriation. In an apparent bid to increase American support for their battle to keep Elian in the United States, the Miami relatives last week allowed television journalist Diane Sawyer to spend two days with the boy.
The ABC News program "Good Morning America" plans to air the first of several reports Monday.
Castro said that subjecting the child to the interview was "monstrous and sickening" and said that sources had told him that the boy would denounce his father during the airing.
"You cannot do this without the authorization of the father," said Castro, who expressed worries about the child's welfare. "I sincerely think that this boy is at risk in the hands of desperate people and the government of the United States should not be running this risk," he added.
A Spanish-speaking child psychiatrist, with no prior connection to the case, accompanied Sawyer on the visit, the television network said.
Additional portions of Sawyer's report will likely be aired on Tuesday, and on "20/20" Wednesday, the network said.
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On the Net: The judge's decision: http://www.netside.net/usdcfls/publications/elian.pdf
INS home page: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov
Web site by son of Miami relatives' spokesman: http://libertyforelian.org
© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press