Posted by John Caballero on April 26, 19100 at 17:26:56:
In Reply to: Elian, Our First Priority posted by Susan Henry on April 26, 19100 at 14:14:10:
Hi Susan!
: I was born in Cuba, came to the US 40 years, and have been an American citizen for 35 years. I'm one of those who have blended in, and most people don't know I am not a natural born citizen of the US unless I tell them. People who were not in Cuba living under Castro's rule, especially the early years when he took over, cannot fully understand what life in Cuba is liek under Fidel's leadership. So I have trouble with people speaking out about something they have never experienced nor can empathize. The ideal thing is for Juan Miguel to defect with his new wife and baby, and live in Miami near the other relatives so Elian can live happily ever after with ALL the relatives. Life would be very simple that way, and I truly believe that would be the best thing for Elian. However, since life is NOT simple, thanks to Fidel, and now Reno and Clinton, it will not turn out that happily ever after for Elian. First of all, I can guarantee you that Juan Miguel has been threatened that something would happen to family members in Cuba, like his mother and father, and/or he has been promised great things when he returns to Cuba with Elian. You have to remember that Juan Miguel is young enough that he has only know life in Cuba with Fidel, and his mind has been filled with anti-American propaganda. Trust me, I was there with Fidel long enough to start hearing it, and was told in school to turn in my parents if they spoke badly of Fidel, because Fidel and his government are the only ones looking out for my best interest. On the Cuba website (Cubaweb), Fidel talks about how wonderful Clinton and Reno performed to get Elian away from his "kidnappers" and how the Miami family "abused" Elian. (The web site only showed photos from the happy reunion, and not one photo about the taking of Elian at gunpoint.) The Miami family were only trying to give the boy a home and love, and unfortunately, it turned into a 3-ring circus. The media blew it all out, and Fidel took advantage of this at every turn. My questions are: Why didn't the father come right away as soon as he heard his ex-wife had died and his son had experienced such tragedy? Why did the grandmothers act so stilted around Elian and why didn't Elian rush to their arms and beg to be taken home to his father? What is the REAL truth about Elian's custody? The parents were divorced before he was even conceived. Those grandmothers were used also as Castro's puppets. Why wasn't Juan Miguel willing to meet with his own Miami family in a neutral place so the transfer of Elian would be unemotional? (By the way, my uncle informed his sister--my mother--back in 1960 & 1961 not to communicate with him any more because he would lose his standing or get in trouble. Do you suppose the same thing happened with Juan Miguel?) Why isn't he willing to see them now? If Juan Miguel really cared for Elian as his first priority, he would understand what an important role the Miami family has played in Elian's life for the last 5 months, and he would want to for Elian to continue such relations. Why wouldn't he think this would be a great way to make this transition? What has Elian been told as to why he can't see his Miami family? Why did the mother risk her life? Just to send Elian back to Cuba to continue living in a dictatorship whose government, not the parents, decides the "welfare" of the child? Parents have no rights in Cuba, because the ultimate decision for a child is made by the government. Why don't they show any videos of Elian now? I'm afraid he is going to whisked away to Cuba, and that will be the end of Elian's potential for freedom. I say potential, because he is now being held at the Air Force base and surrounded by Cuban diplomats. What is really frustrating for me, as it is for other Cuban natives that have come to the US to live in freedom, is that people have forgotten what went on and what goes on in Cuba. Should we just forget the last 40 years and start fresh? Is the major struggle and sacrifice that millions of Cubans went through to come to this country be forgotten? Should we dismiss all of Castro's violations of human rights for the last 40 years? Was all of this done in vain? Amercans have become indifferent and uninformed about all of this, especially in the last 20 years. And Americans who were born after the mid-60's don't know very much about Cuba and what goes on there. They just know they can't travel there nor bring any Cuban products into this country. My father ped away 4 years ago and my mother one year ago. I'm thankful that they are not around to see this, because it would have devastated them. The scenes on Holy Saturday morning at Lazaro Gonzalez's home looked more like Cuba, not the US. Hearing people on television, like Clinton, Reno, and her representative, and the INS spokespersons would have deeply affected them. It's killing me, and I didn't experience as much as my parents did since I was 8 1/2 when we left. The press conference with the Miami family, their lawyers, the Italian fisherman and others was heart-breaking, because you could feel their pain, frustration, and their helplessness. I hope they do not give up, and make everyone accountable for their deeds. I really have a hard time believing anything coming out of Clinton's, Reno's and their representatives' mouths, because thye have a hidden agenda. Their only agenda should be Elian and his freedom. Those who really care for and love this boy should also make him their first priority, and sending him back to Cuba is NOT in Elian's best interest. 5 and 6 years old is young, but I remember vividly what life was like in Cuba--these are things you don't forget. I remember my parents' concerns and worries about our safety and future. And I'm sure Elian heard enough when plans were being made to leave Cuba by boat, just like I know all along about why and how we should leave and why it was important that only very few trusted family members knew. PLEASE MAKE ELIAN OUR FIRST PRIORITY AND OPEN YOUR MIND AND HEART AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE AMERICAN CUBAN-BORN PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING SO HARD FOR ELIAN'S FREEDOM!
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