Yesterday, during the State Department briefing, Mr. Crowley had this to say: “In Brazil, our Embassy in Brasilia, our Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, many people have been up through the night – just to provide support to the Goldman family, to maintain contact with the Brazilian Government, and as we hopefully come to the end of this process and look forward to the reuniting of Sean Goldman with his father David.”
QUESTION: Does or did Sean Goldman have a U.S. passport? Did you have to issue him one? Have you issued him one?
MR. CROWLEY: We have issued him a passport – to his father. So he will be able to travel whenever the exchange of custody takes place.
QUESTION: Recently, you issued it?
MR. CROWLEY: It’s – in the last 24 hours.
Related Item:Hague Convention - Child Abduction
Updated 9:47 pmThe State Department's press office released the following statement from Secretary Clinton dated December 24: "I am thrilled that 9-year-old Sean Goldman was reunited with his father David Goldman earlier today in Rio de Janeiro and that they are flying home to New Jersey. I want to thank everyone who helped bring this long process to a successful conclusion, including a number of members of Congress and many concerned parties both here and in Brazil. We also appreciate the assistance and cooperation of the Government of Brazil in upholding its obligations under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. I offer my warmest wishes for father and son as they celebrate their first holiday season together in five years."
