Castro Calls Elian’s Dad on May Day

Fidel Castro took an active role in May Day festivities for the first time in years Monday, marching in Havana’s parade and making a phone call to Juan Miguel Gonzalez, who is fighting to bring his son Elian home to Cuba.

The 73-year-old Castro, who has ruled this island for 41 years, guided a sea of chanting, flag-waving men, women and children from Havana’s sprawling Plaza of the Revolution to the U.S. Interests Section almost two miles away.

Although May Day marches in Cuba regularly draw hundreds of thousands of people, this one appeared to be the largest in years. The turnout reflected the importance the Communist government has placed on its battle to bring Elian back.

During his speech, Castro linked Elian’s case to Cuba’s struggle against the U.S. trade embargo and international criticism of the island’s human rights record. He said he was not convinced that an appeals court in Atlanta, which has set a May 11 hearing in the case, will rule in favor of Elian’s father. Juan Miguel Gonzalez and Elian are staying in the United States pending the hearing on a request by their Miami relatives for a political asylum hearing for the boy, who has been joined by several Cuban schoolmates.

After the speech, Castro spoke by cellular telephone with Gonzalez as the crowd looked on.

“It is Juan Miguel,” Castro said after Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque handed him the phone. “On behalf of the children, of all the companions there, he sends a special greeting for all of our people.”

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