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Statement by Attorney General Janet Reno

Attorney General Janet Reno and INS Commissioner Doris Meissner met today with Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and Miami City Mayor Joe Carollo. The Attorney General issued the following statement:

• "The meeting with Mayors Penelas and Carollo was productive and I welcomed their suggestions on how we can best achieve an orderly reunification of Elian with his father.

• "We all agreed that helping to bring the family together to work out this orderly transition would be desirable, but I also stressed that the transfer of Elian to the care of his father must move forward without delay.

• "The mayors have asked me to speak with leaders of the Miami community and I have indicated my willingness and desire to do so.

• "We agreed to continue working together to seek an outcome that allows Elian to be reunited with his father in the best way possible -- for him, for his family, and for the Miami community as a whole."

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