Here are Juan Miguel Gonzalez's remarks, which were in Spanish, when
 he arrived Thursday at Dulles International Airport outside Washington.
 Translation is by The Herald.

 I have arrived in Washington, where I hope soon to embrace my son, Elian
 Gonzalez Brotons, for the first time in over four months. I am here with my wife
 and 6-month-old son. We are Elian's true family and we love him very much.

 For exactly 137 days I have been unjustly and cruelly separated from my son.
 Never before did he have a greater need for his father and family, his friends and
 his school, than since the distressing period that began Nov. 22.

 To witness his mother's disappearance and to miraculously survive the sinking of
 his boat was already enough suffering for a boy barely 5 years old. Add to this the
 turnover, in temporary custody, to some distant relatives who never saw him
 before or had a single previous meeting with him.

 I immediately appealed to United States authorities to have my son returned to
 me. It was not until Jan. 5 that, in accordance with international law, the INS
 acknowledged the unquestionable principle of parental authority and the
 customary practice in such cases of returning the child to the father.

 However, that decision was not and has not been enforced; rather, it was
 subordinated to endless, confusing legal procedures.

 Finally, last March 21, the federal court of Florida ruled in favor of what never
 should have been questioned.

 With great anguish, I saw how during that time my son has been submitted to
 cruel psychological pressures aimed at influencing his personality, already
 weakened by the trauma he experienced. As if that weren't enough, Elian has
 been exhibited in parades, public rallies and in the mass media, with the intent of
 extracting political gain from his tragedy.

 He has been under constant siege from politicians, journalists, lawyers, publicity
 agents and others unrelated to the family. An eight-hour-long television interview,
 conducted without my consent, is sufficient evidence of the cruelty and harm
 inflicted on my son.

 My daily telephone calls to him from Cuba are often blocked and when they do go
 through I can clearly hear how the adults pester the child.

 I don't know the doctors and psychologists who look after my son, or the
 treatment or medications he is given, and although I requested that information on
 four different occasions I have yet to receive an answer.

 In the past few days, my family and I have seen with alarm how the passions are
 being exacerbated in Miami. Television has shown scenes of danger that make us
 fear for the safety of my son.

 I await with great impatience to have my son returned to me as soon as possible
 and I would like to return to Cuba with him at once.

 I have been told that I must wait up to two more months before I can return Elian
 to his home and his humble hometown of Cardenas, where he was born and
 raised, lacking no love or attention.

 In the face of this new and unjust delay, I have asked the government of the
 United States to allow a small group of my son's classmates, as well as
 professionals, physicians, psychologists and teachers to look after the children.
 They are people who have followed the situation very closely. Also, one of my
 country's leaders, someone who has been like a friend or brother, giving me
 advice and support through these days of pain and uncertainty. [Translator's note:
 The leader alluded to is National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon.]

 Everyone should understand that the trauma experienced by my son Elian
 requires a recovery process guided not only by my feelings of love and paternal
 care but also by the recommendations of specialists and by the classroom
 environment, by his interaction with classmates and teachers, which will be
 extraordinarily valuable.

 Despite what I have suffered and endured since Nov. 22, I remain confident that
 United States authorities will not allow new harm to befall my son and my family,
 and I ask them to understand why I must be accompanied by the children and
 individuals I described.

 Along with the anguish and the suffering of our family, feelings that have reached
 unimaginable levels, we have enjoyed the support of all the people and the
 authorities of Cuba.

 I cannot at this moment fail to express my deepest gratitude to the American
 people, whose great majority, in growing numbers, have expressed their opinion
 that the boy should be returned to me.

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald