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Elian Gonzalez, the young Cuban boy who became the center of an international custody and propaganda war five years ago, was trotted out on April 22 by Fidel Castro to mark the fifth anniversary of his return to the Communist dictatorship.
In his first speech at a political rally, Elian, now 11 years old, first thanked Cuban President Fidel Castro, who attended the event and led the festivities commemorating a major victory over Cuban exiles in the United States.
"I also want to thank the support the American people gave to our cause, greatly contributing to my return," Elian said in a speech obviously prepared by Castro's propagandists. "I want to thank all those who made my dream of being a free child come true," he said.
Cuba's state-run press accused Elian's anti-Communist relatives in Miami of a "cruel kidnapping" and referred to Elian's seizure by U.S. federal agents as a rescue from "the hands of the terrorist Miami mafia."
Elian was five years old when Florida fishermen found him, on November 25, 1999, clinging to a life preserver after the boat carrying him and 13 ...
Source: HighBeam Research, Elian Gonzalez: five years later, Castro's propaganda war continues.