CUBANET ... CUBANEWS

April 12, 2000



A dignified end

Pedro A. Freyre . Published Wednesday, April 12, 2000, in the Miami Herald

However the tragedy of this sweet little boy ends, we will react with sobriety.

As the compelling human tragedy of Elian Gonzalez rushes to its conclusion, the world media's attention focuses on our community in anticipation of the final scene in this heart-wrenching episode.

Once again our beautiful, multifaceted city is in the hot glare of the lights. How will the drama unfold? Will the modest and caring Gonzalez family give up their ward peacefully? Will federal marshals storm their home to carry out the law's implacable will? Will our Cuban-American community -- bonded now to this child with ties that defy logic but that are clear to anyone who understands the human soul and the nature of freedom -- react with chaos should the child be taken away to join his father? Will the crafty, old tyrant, master of manipulation and malice for so long, once again get away with inflicting pain on the innocent?

So many questions, so much speculation, so many pundits, so many lawyers, so few answers.

But in the midst of the tension and turmoil, some rays of hope shine through. This time of test for Miami, and for Cuban exiles, can become a defining moment in the maturing of our city and the Cuban community.

A ray of hope is Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas's swift retreat from his recent rash comments. There is no politician who has not spoken in haste and from the heart and made a mistake; the great ones have had the courage to accept their mistakes and rectify them.

Another sign is Miami Mayor Joe Carollo's confrontation with some of the more-radical and provocative elements of the exile community. His on-camera discussions on Friday and actions on Sunday point to a new and sober realization of the harsh responsibilities of elected office.

Throughout the Cuban exile community, respected, sincere activists who have fought the good fight to get Elian's Miami family its day in court are making their feelings known eloquently, forcefully and responsibly and in the very best tradition of American political discourse.

Virtually unanimously, these leaders -- including individuals with such diverse views as Ramon Saul Sanchez of the Democracia Movement, Silvia Iriondo of Mothers Against Repression and Ninoska Perez Castellon of the Cuban American National Foundation -- have repudiated violence publicly. Also, Florida International University Professor Dario Moreno and civic leaders such as Carlos Saladrigas have called for cooler heads to prevail. Also, writers with national standing such as Liz Balmaseda, Andres Oppenheimer and Robert Steinback have added context to the emotions of the exile community.

CAUSE FOR HOPE

There is indeed cause for hope. There is reason to believe that, however the tragedy of this sweet little boy ends -- a boy who has captured the hearts of our community, our country and the world -- we will react with maturity and sobriety. We will not fall into the trap set by our common enemy: The man ultimately and personally responsible for the tragedy of Elian and all the other Elians known only to God.

Let us honor their memories by rejecting the actions that Fidel Castro so desperately wants us to take and advance the process of maturation of our community and the wonderful place we call home. It's incumbent upon us.

Pedro A. Freyre is chairman of Facts About Cuban Exiles.

Copyright 2000 Miami Herald

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