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Morning News

Cuban Demonstrators Expected to Demand Elian Gonzalez's Return as Original INS-Imposed Deadline Arrives

Aired January 14, 2000 - 9:02 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Elian Gonzalez was supposed to be back in Cuba today under the original ruling by U.S. immigration officials, but he is still in Miami and it's unclear where the 6-year-old boy will end up.

In Cuba, thousands are expected to take to the streets today, again demanding Elian's return.

Our Martin Savidge joins us. He is in Havana. He's live there this morning with more.

Good morning, Marty.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (AUDIO GAP) protests and demonstrations almost every day since young Elian Gonzalez showed up on American soil.

KAGAN: Jen, get out of my ear.

SAVIDGE: But today's event will be considered unique because it's expected that there are going to be some 100,000 people taking part. Not just any people, though: 100,000 mothers, according the Cuban government. Already, the crowds have begun organizing and forming along the Malacom (ph), which is the main roadway that runs along the ocean front. It's expected that the procession will then finally gather in front of the building that houses the U.S. Interests Section here. Already, security has been beefed up around that building.

The Cuban government realizes that it does not have a lot of direct impact on the issues of what goes on in the United States, so it resorts to a different tactic -- that being emotion and strictly numbers of people. And, today, it is making good use of both.

Cuban officials also say so that, so far, this drama has not had a negative impact on Cuban-American relations and the way that they have been improving. But those same officials warn that their frustration is growing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICARDO ALARCON, PRESIDENT, CUBAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: Obviously, nobody can believe that the situation between the two countries will not be very, very seriously affected, but I prefer not to consider that for one simple reason: I believe in the words of the U.S. authorities. They have expressed this clearly in the proper direction. Let's hope that they will find a way to simply convert its words into actual deeds, into action.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: The language of Cuban officials has grown more stronger. They refer to those in South Florida, and anyone who is hindering with the boy's return to Cuba, as kidnappers. The boy is actually called in Cuba here "the kidnapped boy." And they also warn that they believe what he has endured for the last two months, as far as the exposure to the media, to politicians, to all that has gone on, amounts to nothing less than child abuse.

Reporting live in Havana, Martin Savidge, CNN.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Martin, thank you.

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