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CNN Live At Daybreak

What's Going on Now With Elian Gonzalez?

Aired May 14, 2002 - 06:55   ET

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

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As former President Jimmy Carter visits Cuba, many of you probably remember the turmoil surrounding Elian Gonzalez. How could you forget the Cuban boy in the middle of that international custody fight?

Our John Zarrella is in Cuba and tells us what's going on now with the little boy with the big brown eyes and mischievous grin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not often, but every once in a while, like this past May Day, Elian Gonzalez makes a public appearance. And every once in a while, Fidel Castro stops by to visit. A year and a half ago, to help Elian celebrate a very public birthday. His first after returning to Cuba.

And last November, after Hurricane Michelle flooded the Gonzalez home in Cardenas, the Cuban leader briefly looked in on him, father Juan Miguel and his stepmother. So far, as the Castro government promised, the boy who was the center of an international custody battle two years ago has since led a private life.

(on camera): You'd never know Elian Gonzalez lived here in Cardenas. On the streets of the city there are no pictures of the boy, no signs, no posters.

(voice-over): Outside the new house, moved into after the hurricane, a guard is posted. His family wouldn't talk with us, saying the experience is behind them. People we did talk to say...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Elian represents for us history. He is part of our country's history, of our town, our province.

ZARRELLA: In fact, the only place you can find any mention of Elian is the town museum. Two dollars to get in, $25 to take pictures. The room is filled with photos mostly of the boy's return. There's a schoolbook from his time in Washington and a tee shirt worn by the fisherman who rescued him.

But this is not the only Elian museum. The Miami home, where Elian lived with his relatives, is also a museum. For his great uncle Delfin, there is still no closure. DELFIN GONZALEZ, ELIAN'S UNCLE (through translator): If there is rights of free press and freedom of expression, I would ask Jimmy Carter to ask Elian in public if he would like to stay in Cuba or come back to Miami.

ZARRELLA: Here, too, pictures of a happy boy with Santa Claus, with his dog. His clothes still in the closet. His bed is made up and covered with stuffed animals. Two museums: the same story, different points of view. And a family divided perhaps forever.

John Zarrella, CNN, Cardenas, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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