OT: The thing that really seems to stick in your craw is that the child may go back to Cuba instead of staying in the good old US of A.
Absolutely not Enigma.
What I strongly resent is that the rule of US law was deliberately and recklessly bypassed in the interest of political gain, both by the current administration and Fidel Castro.
No matter how much the US public believes that Elian's father will have sole custody of his child (which I would have no problem with under US law), it is a FACT that children growing up in the totalitarian regime, whether it be Cuba, N. Korea, Vietnam... etc, ultimately belong to the state.
The natural father ONLY retains physical custody so long as it pleases the interests of the "state" under communist rule.
For this reason, Elian rights are being violated, and the US legal system subverted to service the interests of Fidel Castro.
If Elian comes out in court and states that he wishes to return to Cuba, then the argument is made a moot point. However, he should not be blackmailed, coerced, or brainwashed by either side. He may be 6 years old, but even children are aware enough to make cognizant decisions about what life opportunities they desire.
As an example, in today's Washington Post there is an article about a 5 year Turkish American girl who loves to fly airplanes and can make a cognizant decision about whether she should have that right or not.
All I'm asking for is that this issue be dealt with in a US court, with both sides presenting their cases and permitting Elian a chance to decide for himself. If he wishes to return to Cuba, god bless him. If he chooses to stay, then Juan Miguel Gonzalez has every right to make the same decision. There is no doubt that he will be welcomed by the Cuban community or anyone else in this country.
Finally, if this child had arrived from a democratic inclined nation, then I believe the underlying basis of the argument would be completely different. However, we are not talking about a child from a democratic nation who might have stowed away on some ship or airliner, but a child who's mother fled Cuba, for whatever reason, for a new life in America and died in the process. It was her wish that he grow up in the US or she wouldn't have made the trip (she worked for the communist party as a secretary). She knew the risks and the benefits of coming here and those dying wishes have just as much bearing as the wishes of a divorced father who apparently was not given custody of the child while living in Cuba.
Regards,
Ron
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