Elian Showdown Due

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/02/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

By Wednesday, Elian Gonzalez is expected to be reunited with his father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, who intends to take the 6-year-old directly back to Cuba. On Sunday, the boy attended a cousin's baptism. Attorney General Janet Reno says that she is determined to reunite Elian with his dad this week, signaling what is likely to be a showdown in the custody battle over the Cuban boy. On TV interviews over the weekend, Reno would not discuss details of how U.S. immigration authorities intend to take custody of the child, but did say that she hopes the transfer is not disruptive to Elian's well-being. She said that Justice Department officials are wary of any use of force.