[Colleen Mcedwards, World News:] Elian Gonzalez and his family remain at a secluded farm in the U.S. state of Maryland. But they're not alone. Four more of Elian's playmates have come to the United States from Cuba for a two-week visit with their friend. Meanwhile, a U.S. appeals court has issued important rulings in the boy's custody case. CNN's Kate Snow has that.
[Kate Snow, Cnn Correspondent:] Elian Gonzalez remains on a sprawling estate, his privacy protected by U.S. marshals. And as long as the boy can't return to Cuba, Cuba is coming to him. Four of Elian's classmates, dressed in school uniforms, arrived in Washington accompanied by parents. Among the group, Elian's best friend and the pediatrician who's cared for him since he was born. Elian's favorite cousin and his former teacher have already arrived. The group was granted permission to stay two weeks. Before they left Havana, Cuban President Fidel Castro complained the U.S. government was placing too many restrictions on Elian's visitors.
[Fidel Castro, Cuban President:] These things are crazy, absurd, ridiculous. That's the least I can say. They don't contribute at all to helping the boy.
[Snow:] As for the Miami relatives, Attorney General Janet Reno indicated, in time, there might be a way for a reunion between Elian and his second cousin, who helped care for the boy after his rescue.
[Janet Reno, U.s. Attorney General:] I can't imagine that Marisleysis will be out of his life. I mean, you could look at them and see a connection.
[Snow:] A government-appointed psychiatrist has said Elian's feelings toward Marisleysis may be "the romantic feelings of a school boy" rather than the emotions a boy would feel toward a mother figure. Regardless, a reunion is not likely to happen anytime soon. A federal appeals court Thursday refused to grant the Miami family's request for access to the boy. The court also denied their request that a legal guardian be appointed. In a separate ruling, the court said Juan Miguel Gonzalez could participate in the legal fight over Elian's asylum petition, but it rejected his request that he speak for his son, replacing Elian's great-uncle Lazaro in court.
[Kendall Coffey, Atty. For Elian's Miami Relatives:] I want to emphasize there is an appeal. It's going forward. We have to remain confident and believing in our legal system.
[Snow:] All told, it was a disappointing day for the Miami relatives after having returned to Miami, tired and defeated in their mission to see Elian. In Washington, supporters of the Miami relatives picked up where they'd left off, some 250 people protested outside the White House. [on camera]: At Carmichael Farm, little information about the boy at the center of all this attention. We do know the place is well- equipped for a bunch of 6-year-olds. Earlier, a delivery truck went into the farm carrying a brand-new swing set. Kate Snow, CNN, Queenstown, Maryland.