Feb. 13, 2000

Elian’s Fate Affects Other Separated Children Overseas

Poor Elian!

It is bad enough when disagreements between a man and wife make an emotional football of their little children. When international politics are mixed in, the situation is even more hellish.

Thus, there is controversy regarding the fate of six-year- old Elian Gonzalez who was plucked from the sea, clinging to an old innertube, off Miami last December.

The facts.

His divorced mother had climbed with him into a tiny boat overloaded with 12 other refugees from Fidel Castro’s police state. As the boat approached freedom, it capsized. Eleven passengers drowned – including Elian’s mother. He and two adults near death were picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard two days later.

It appeared that there was a happy ending for Elian. He has relatives in Miami who claimed and nurtured him. One more soul had made it to the land of the free and home of the brave.

Until.

When Juan Gonzalez heard that his son was safe, he “demanded” that his son be returned immediately. No gratitude for his rescue. No thanks to the other family members who took him in.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service ruled that Elian be reunited with his father. Elian’s father was invited to come and get the boy. However, Juan Gonzalez refused, claiming fear for his life. Great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez in Miami filed a petition with the federal court on behalf of Elian for political asylum.

Attorney General Janet Reno supported the INS ruling and asked Federal Judge William Hoeverler to expedite the case. Hearings are scheduled for Feb. 22. Castro ordered massive street demonstrations demanding Elian’s return.

The National Council of Churches – a supposed ecumenical organization notorious for its ultra-left-wing leanings – dealt itself into the fray. It orchestrated visits by Elian’s grandmothers to Washington, D.C., politicos.

Florida Senator Connie Mack introduced a bill that would bestow U.S. citizenship on Elian to prevent extradition. After President hinted he would veto, the Senate postponed action.

Elian’s grandmothers were invited to visit him, Elian, but they refused on grounds they feared demonstrators. They “demanded” – again the ultimatum -- a neutral site. Finally they accepted the Miami campus home of Catholic Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, president of Barry University.

The grandmothers wanted only National Council of Churches representatives in the room during the meeting and a telephone hot-wired to the father in Cuba. These preemptory demands were refused. Nevertheless, the grandmothers sneaked in a cell phone and nervously communicated during the meeting with who ever was at the other end.

After the meeting, Sister O’Laughlin submitted an Op-Ed article to the New York Times explaining “Why I Changed My Mind About Elian.”

“As I watched the grandmothers’ Cuban escort keep close telephone contact with Havana during and after the visit,” says Sister O’Laughlin, “I came to feel that the Cuban government was attempting to exert control over these events. I saw fear in Elian who has bonded with his aunt.

“ I considered what it would mean for this boy suddenly to be ripped away from his surrogate mother, how this second trauma might scar him permanently. I saw and felt at that moment, how wrong it would be to return Elian hastily to Cuba.”

Now that splitting babies has gone out of style, one wonders how King Solomon would resolve this dilemma?

Elian’s mother made a desperate choice to seek freedom for herself and Elian – and paid for it with her life. Nonetheless, we assume his father loves Elian equally well and truly believes in Castro communism. A large majority of Americans believe Elian should be returned to his father.

However.

Why didn’t Elian’s father rush here when offered the opportunity – regardless of danger. If one of my children where being held, say in Iraq, I wouldn’t hesitate to catch the next plane there. Either Juan Gonzalez is not fully caring, or a Cuban government terminator is standing behind him with a cocked pistol.

First of all, Congress should butt out. The matter is being adjudicated by a federal court.

At stake also is international law affecting the reuniting of American parents with children now being held overseas.

If law decides Elian must return, he must -- regardless of the effect on him. And Juan Gonzales must come here in person to satisfy a family court he is a competent father.

If law decides Elian is entitled to political asylum, then Juan Gonzales should be given a visa to visit his son any time he wishes and Castro will permit.

King Solomon would approve.

PARTING SHOTS

Mrs. Barbara Bush, former first lady, was out campaigning for son George W. the other day. She said that in 1992 -- when her husband was defeated for reelection – she would never campaign again. “Maybe I should have said, ‘Read my lips.’”

Lindsey Williams is a Sun-Herald columnist and can be reached at linwms@lindseywilliams.org