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STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

"I want to talk to the people of Miami directly today to explain the efforts to resolve the Elian Gonzalez matter and to address the misunderstandings that sometimes exist in a terribly tense situation such as this.

"Elian's Miami relatives have asked to meet privately with Juan Miguel Gonzalez, his father, to have the chance to try to convince him that Elian should stay here, and barring that, to at least reassure themselves that he is truly speaking for himself. We have arranged an opportunity for such a meeting - and that opportunity still exists.

"As I stated last night in my meeting with Elian's Miami relatives, as well as in our letter to Mr. Lazaro Gonzalez, and in my statement to the press, we have made arrangements for Lazaro Gonzalez and his family to be flown to Washington, DC -- at no expense to themselves -- to meet with Juan Miguel privately.

"This meeting would take place before Elian is transferred to his father's care. It would take place at a private retreat site where this family can finally sit down face-to-face and try to work things out among themselves. If they could work things out amongst themselves, the government would step aside. But if, at the end of the day they could not reach an agreement, the relatives would abide by the rule of law.

"We stand by this offer and Juan Miguel Gonzalez has agreed to participate. Unfortunately, Lazaro Gonzalez and his family have refused these arrangements.

"Secondly, another rumor that exists is that the government is "federalizing" the streets around Lazaro Gonzalez' home and ejecting the media. These rumors are wrong, flat out wrong. We have not taken any such steps and have no plans to do so. I can also assure the public that they will not see Marshals at 2:01 today attempting to remove the child by force.

"I am prepared to enforce the law. But I want to be clear that if we are compelled to enforce our order, we intend to do so in a reasonable, measured way -- the approach that we have always taken in this matter.

"We have the authority to take action, but responsible authority means not only being able to take action - but knowing when and how to take that action.

"Finally, the lawyers for Elian's relatives have informed us that they may be filing for a temporary injunction with the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Our attorneys will review that motion and respond appropriately in court.

"Despite all the tension, it was wonderful to look out the window this morning and to see this beautiful city lying beyond the bay, to look to the west towards the everglades, to look to the Spanish tiles on the roof of the federal building, to realize that this community represents America and all that it is about. It represents America and the people who have come to this land for freedom, for opportunity, for the right to speak their mind free of violence. It is a great community and a community that if we come together in this time of tension where people obviously disagree with tremendous emotion, but if we come together, if we respect each other, if we respect the rule of law, we can work through it."

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