DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Justice Department has made a pivotal decision on the fate of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez. For the latest on this developing story, we bring in our justice correspondent, Pierre Thomas. He is live in Washington, this morning. Pierre, good morning.</s>PIERRE THOMAS, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The Justice Department attorneys have decided that the state proceedings in Florida have no impact on their decision that the father speaks for Elian Gonzalez, the six-year-old boy who has been the subject of an international controversy. Again, the Justice Department attorneys are saying that this has no impact on their decision that the boy -- that the father speaks for the boy. So, this is a very major decision at the Justice Department, and it will have a significant impact -- Daryn.</s>KAGAN: Pierre, all this is interesting as we listen to one official come up with one decision, a judge another, but what practical impact does this actually have on the six-year-old boy.</s>THOMAS: Well, Daryn, as you recall, they -- there's a January 14th date that everyone has been point toward. Now, what this means is that this date will likely come and pass. Justice Department officials have long maintained that they had no intention of forcibly removing the boy from the great uncle in Miami, and sources are saying that this simply means that the case will move forward and that the Justice Department does not recognize the state court as impacting it. Now, it's clear that the Justice Department is also saying that, look, the great uncle and the father, they had wanted them to work out this dispute by January 14th. That's not is not going to happen, it appears, so the Justice Department is making clear while it does not recognize the state court, it's clear that they want this case to begin to move forward, although it's not clear exactly when this young man, his status will change in terms of him going to Cuba or remaining in the United States.</s>KAGAN: Pierre Thomas in Washington, thank you.
Justice Department Decides States's Decision in Elian Gonzalez Case has No Impact on INS Decision