National Post, Canada. Editorial. Thursday, March 30, 2000

The Elian Gonzalez saga may be near its end. Fidel Castro reportedly announced late yesterday that Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, is "ready to travel to the United States immediately" to fight for Elian's return to Cuba. "Ready" is, of course, code for "permitted."

The timing of the announcement is slightly strange: Elian would have probably been sent home soon anyway.

In fact, officials from the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Justice Department have declared today to be the deadline for Elian's Miami relatives to pledge, in writing, that they will surrender Elian if they lose their court battle to keep the six-year-old in the United States. Justice Department officials have told the relatives that if they do not sign an agreement, "[they] would have no choice but to move forward with the termination of Elian's parole as of Thursday at 9 a.m." But even barring Mr. Gonzalez's announced trip, such an agreement would likely only forestall the inevitable. If, as expected, the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upholds a district court decision denying Elian political asylum in the United States, then -- barring intervention by Attorney-General Janet Reno -- Elian would be returned to Cuba.

And it is doubtful that Ms. Reno will intervene. Last week, following the district court decision, she declared that "it is time for this little boy to move on with life at his father's side."

On this last point, we agree. But with the condition that Elian's "life at his father's side" begin in the United States. As we have argued all along, Ms. Reno should not let Elian be returned to Cuba unless Mr. Gonzalez travels to the U.S. to observe the attendant legal formalities. This is the only way to verify that Mr. Gonzalez is the willing parent he is made out to be by the Cuban press.

Mr. Castro's announcement yesterday suggests that this condition will be met. But U.S. officials should be careful. Until Mr. Gonzalez's plane actually touches down in Miami, the Clinton administration should make it absolutely plain that Elian will be sent back to Cuba if -- but only if -- Mr. Castro keeps his word.

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