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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Return of Cuban Refugee.

Seán Power

Question:

184 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to encourage the US Government to reunite Elian Gonzalez with his father; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1515/00]

Tony Gregory

Question:

186 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of the six year old Cuban boy being detained in the United States of America with the United States authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1664/00]

John Gormley

Question:

187 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the implications of the refusal of the United States to reunite a person (details supplied) with his family in Cuba in terms of non-compliance on the part of the United States with international, United States and Cuban law and the implications for future United States and Cuba relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1665/00]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

189 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the human rights implications for persons (details supplied) in Cuba of the prevention to date of the boy's return to Cuba to be reunited with his father as a result of court actions by right-wing Cuban Americans in view of his expressed concerns over human rights in Cuba. [1777/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

190 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, he has had with the US authorities regarding Elian Gonzales, the six year old Cuban boy prevented from being reunited with his father in Cuba and being detained in the United States. [1821/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 186, 187, 189 and 190 together.

On 5 January, the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service determined that Juan Gonzalez, the father of Elian Gonzalez, has the sole legal authority to speak for his son on immigration issues and that Elian should be reunited with his father. Before the decision was made, US officials met twice in Cuba with Juan Gonzalez and satisfied themselves that he had a "close and continuing relationship with his son" and that he was "expressing his true wishes".

On 19 January federal district court action was filed in respect of the decision of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service regarding Elian Gonzalez and the matter is now pending before the courts. I warmly welcome the decision of the US authorities that this little boy should be reunited with his father. The US Department of Justice and the US Immigration and Naturalisation Service have made it clear that they are preparing to respond urgently to the pending court action. I earnestly hope that all concerned will keep the best interests of this small boy at the forefront of their concerns.
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