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STATEMENT OF DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER, JR.

"A short time ago, Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, arrived here in the United States. He came with his wife and he came with his infant son. Their arrival is a welcome development in a case that has captured everyone's attention ever since young Elian arrived at our shores.

"At the core of this case is a little boy - so young that he does not have the capacity to make legal decisions for himself. He has a father who has clearly enjoyed a close and continuous relationship with Elian from the moment he was born. And he also has relatives in Miami who undoubtedly care deeply for this little boy.

"There have been some who have claimed that the government has acted in a heavy handed manner. I reject this notion. In January, the INS decided -- and we agreed -- that only Juan Miguel has the authority to speak on his son's behalf regarding immigration matters. Mr. Gonzalez has clearly and sincerely stated that he wants to be reunited with his son.

"In an effort to be fair and most importantly to consider young Elian's well-being, we did not immediately implement our decision -- even though we had the authority to do so. Instead, we urged the Miami relatives to work out a cooperative arrangement to reunite Elian in a manner that was least disruptive to everyone involved.

"Since then, a federal court has upheld our decision. Then, demonstrating further restraint, we offered the Miami relatives an opportunity to appeal the court's ruling so long as they did not assure further open-ended delays.

"Today we are as committed as ever to reuniting the two in a manner that is most sensitive to Elian's well-being.

"This morning we will continue discussing these issues with the lawyers for the relatives in Miami. We strongly believe that Juan Miguel Gonzalez's presence here will move the process forward and will allow the parties to quickly effectuate a transfer of Elian to his father.

"I have a six year old daughter. And as a father, I cannot imagine the anguish of being separated from my daughter due to circumstances beyond my control. That is one reason that I believe reuniting Elian with his father is not only a matter of federal law, it is not a matter of immigration law, it is simply the right thing to do.

"This father and his son need to be together. And in the coming days we will do all that we can to ensure that happens."

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