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CNN Live At Daybreak

Looking Back at Elian Gonzalez

Aired June 28, 2001 - 08:05   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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the world does look back at the Elian Gonzalez case 12 months to the day after he returned to Cuba with his father. The boy's saga began in the ocean in November 1999. Seven months of legal wrangling culminated in the dramatic removal of the 6-year-old from the home of his Miami relatives.

Havana bureau chief Lucia Newman reports on what life is like for him now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Elian Gonzalez stepped off this plane onto Cuban territory one year ago, many wondered what would happen to the little boy who had become a familiar face around the world.

For seven months, the Cuban government mobilized millions of citizens in an unprecedented political and emotional campaign for his return from the United States. Many predicted he would be paraded as a trophy if he ever went back to Cuba.

(on camera): Today, the face of Elian is gone from the huge protest plaza in front of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission here in Havana, built during the height of what Cubans call "The Battle for Elian." In fact, these days the boy's name is hardly mentioned.

(voice-over): Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, makes occasional appearances at public rallies. President Fidel Castro is speaking. But since his return, the boy himself has been kept out of the media limelight, with the exception of his first day back at school and his birthday.

In his hometown of Cardenas, police discreetly stand guard to ward off journalists from his house. One person who is always welcome by the family is the American fisherman who jumped into the water and rescued him just off the coast of Miami on Thanksgiving Day.

Sam Ciancio, who was just in Cuba, says he found Elian well.

SAM CIANCIO, RESCUER: It was a mistake on the United States not to return the child sooner. But you know, he is here now. And I think, you know, he is doing great.

NEWMAN: In an earlier interview, Elian's father told CNN the boy is totally adjusted to his life back in Cuba and doesn't seem to be traumatized, despite his ordeal. In these pictures provided by Cuban state television, he doesn't even appear to be afraid of water.

JUAN MIGUEL GONZALEZ, ELIAN'S FATHER (through translator): At all times, his expressions, his gestures, his way of acting has gone back to the way it was before. I have seen no change that would warrant a psychologist.

NEWMAN: Many ordinary Cubans remember Elian as a political symbol.

"We fought a great battle against the Americans, against imperialism. And we won," says this man.

Still, while Elian the symbol may still be remembered, many Cubans agree with his family: that Elian the boy is just an ordinary child who lived through extraordinary times and should now be left in peace.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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