• IN her dreams, Olga Salanueva had written the script for the day. She simply wanted to see her husband René step across the threshold of the home she has been preparing for him on Cuban soil, for more than 10 years. "The two of us share the need to close the circle. Just as I imagined when they first so cruelly took him, I needed to see him come in the door, sit down along with the girls, breath easy, say 'it's over' and go back to living."

"From that moment on," she said to Granma, "we wanted to erase it all, there was nothing to be gained from bitterness or hate."

But the scene was not to be. René González was released October 7 from the Mariana penitentiary in northern Florida and had to be content to embrace his daughters, father and brother, far from the rest of his family and his beloved homeland.

"He is enjoying the girls, above all, as he has not been able to do for 13 years. Being happy at a time like this is something he deserves, although the feeling is incomplete," she commented in a meeting with the press.

Although he is elated to breathe freely after 13 years of imprisonment, René needs Cuban air. "He wants to be here with all of his family and his people. He is confident that, given our efforts, the situation will not be prolonged much more."

Over the next few days," she explained, "they will have to inform him of the specific conditions to which he will be subjected, in addition to the general ones we know, such as being prohibited from leaving U.S. territory or going anywhere near 'places where individuals such as terrorists are known to frequent.' At this point, we don't have precise details about the limitations he and the family will have to adapt to."

As for the possibility of a reunion anytime soon with René, even within U.S. territory, Olga affirmed that, although she had been declared 'ineligible' for a visa, she could be granted special permission. "I have the right to be at my husband's side, to at least visit him. This is something they could easily grant, something that I will not stop soliciting, this time of the State Department."

Despite spending his last hours of imprisonment in the 'hole' to remind him of the price of his defiance, "René is in good health. Bad news for those who hoped to destroy him and weren't able to do so," Olga said.

Nevertheless, the threat to his life remains very real, clearly evidenced by the stipulation that he refrain from 'associating with or visiting specific places where individuals or groups such as terrorists, members of organizations advocating violence or organized crime figures are known to frequent.' Olga reiterated, "A person who has openly declared his opposition to terrorism is clearly in danger in this geographical area."

Irma Sehwerert, René's mother, admitted that she didn't have enough time the previous day to answer the incessant phone calls of support for the family. But one at 6:30 am surprised her more than any other. It was her son; he was out from behind bars.

She commented that one of René's priorities is to continue fighting for the freedom of his four brothers, a struggle all of the families will continue to wage.