Published Thursday, June 8, 2000, in the Miami Herald

Elián González, clearly, has relatives -- father, great-uncle, cousin, stepmom, grandparents. What he needs is a family -- a civil, cooperative and understanding group of people who may disagree on what is best for him, but who show him that blood still is the ultimate bond.

Elián's Miami relatives have requested, through his father's attorney, that they be allowed to see him -- without fanfare, it is hoped. Politics aside, they were the only family that Elián knew for six months here; no doubt, his bonds are strong.

Therefore we hope that Elián's father, Juan Miguel, will find it in his heart to grant the request.

Needless to say, blunders were made by both sides. In Miami, the public-relations circus allowed to subsume Elián's tragic story appalled many. Others found suspect Juan Miguel González's months-long reluctance to come claim his son.

None of that matters now -- only the well-being of a little boy -- and his family.

Copyright 2000 Miami Herald

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