CUBANET ... CUBANEWS

April 11, 2000



Psychiatrists put pressure on Elián's family

From David Adams In Miami. The Times, London. April 11 2000

THE Clinton Administration sent two psychiatrists and a psychologist to the Miami relatives of Elián González yesterday to persuade them to reunite the boy with his father by the end of the week.

Washington hopes that the team, who met Juan Miguel González, the boy's father at the weekend, will limit the emotional trauma of the six-year-old boy. The Miami relatives say, however, that the team should first determine if sending Elián back to Cuba is the right thing for his emotional well-being.

"I believe that the experts should meet with Elián and his American family before reaching their conclusions," said Lázaro González, the boy's great-uncle.

"I cannot understand why they would only meet with the adults and, even then, only after having reached their decision about a child they have never met."

Although the Miami relatives have agreed not to resist an order to surrender the boy, lawyers for Elián's great-uncle say the family cannot be responsible for the actions of the protestors.

Señor González flew to Washington last week but he refused to meet the Miami relatives because he says they have betrayed his trust and turned the boy into a political football. Eric Holder, the US deputy Attorney General said: "We would hope we would be able to set up something so that Elián will not have to be carried through a throng of people in Miami that have been around that house."

The Department of Justice is expected to issue a letter today that requires the relatives to the hand the boy over at an undisclosed time and location, probably later this week. If the family refuses, officials will seek a court order to force them to surrender Elián. The family could then face charges of obstruction of justice, and possibly kidnapping if they fail to comply.

US officials are reluctant to discuss the use of force as a last resort. "I hope with all my heart that the rule of law prevails, and I expect that it will," said Janet Reno, the Attorney General.

The relatives' lawyers have said the family will not resist federal agents if they come to claim the boy. But the lawyers say they cannot be responsible for the actions of the crowd.

Copyright 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd.

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