APB:
Sorry, I wasn’t trying to imply the issue of the boy’s wants was irrelevant overall (though, frankly, a 9-year-old’s ‘wants’ can easily be manipulated by whomever has ahold of him at the time). I was dealing with the idea relevant to the OP, that is, what bearing to his desires have on the issue of returning him to his father. I didn’t mean to make it sound like humanism was unimportant. 
Keeves: Tuba most likely got the info the same place as many other folks did; CNN, Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, etc.
For edification of the general populace here:
http://travel.state.gov/hague_childabduction.html .
This link is to the text of the Hague Convention concerning international abduction of children.
Even a cursory reading of the text will show two things:
The boy’s father has the right to determine where the child resides, &
The boy’s father does not have to say jack to any court outside of Cuba.
Well, Congress has now subpoenaed the kid. One of the all time dumbest moves ever, IMO. This issue has now become as political as it could ever be, which isn’t in the best interests of anyone. This will not only end up hurting the little boy, but it will probably end up hurting international relations not only with Cuba, but with the rest of the world. It will not serve our image as a nation well to keep a father and son apart due to our own superiority complex. I do believe that there should have been a hearing to decide the outcome, but NOT before Congress! WTF, who are they to decide this?!?!
Also, now whenever the Cuban-American population in South Florida (where I live) wants to get their point across on any issue, they will repeat what got the attention of Congress the last time. They will make life a living hell for the people of Miami who have absolutely nothing to do with the situation in question. Thanks Washington!
Mark my words, I think I know what certain Congressmen like Dan Burton are up to. Their plan is probably to have a hearing, and decide that the only way they will return the boy is if his father comes to the U.S. unescorted to pick him up. This way, if the father defects and seeks asylum, it will be powerful propaganda against the Cuban system in general. The only problem is that I doubt Fidel Castro would ever allow this, unless he were certain that the father was loyal to Cuba and would not defect. This outcome would also please the propagandists because they could now say that it was Castro’s fault for keeping the father from having the freedom to go pick up his own son. In other words, our morally bankrupt Congressmen are purposefully using this poor kid as a pawn in order to “checkmate” Castro. Unfuckingbelievable, just when you thought we couldn’t sink any lower as a society.
Did anybody else listen to the Republican Presidential debates the other night. They’re all for keeping the boy and raising him as a loyal Republican Cuban emigre. Steve Forbes called the boy, “Clinton’s human sacrifice to Castro.” These are the same hypocrites that are always proclaiming their support for “the family”.
And the same people who oppose immgration by non-white Hispanics from elsewhere.
If he was a black Cuban he wouldn’t be in the media. He might not have made the trip as him Mom (assuming she was black too) would know that he wouldn’t have the same support system in Miami which is largely white. And once he got here, if he was black, we wouldn’t see all that potential entrepeneur, good life shit we project on white Cuban emigres, and fail to projet on Chinese, and other groups.
The success of Cuban emigres is due as much to Swiss bank accounts, mafia connections and stock portfolios from before the revolution - TO THE SAME DEGREE AS ANY OTHER SUCCESSFUL GROUP IN AMERICA - they are not magical capitalist machines as we imagine. Like Americans, they are from a former slave society, that was then dominated by rampant state assisted capitalism and mafia activity in the 30’s and 40’s - just like us stateside.
The Cuban “haves” largely left. The “have nots” remain. While racism is subtle in Cuban society, it is still there and takes on weird forms centering on family descent, sexuality, etc. and if course, economics.
Some very good points RobRoy.
I want to add that if anywhere could be a testing ground for the supposed “3rd way”, Cuba could be the place, after Castro goes.
Currently the options are old style Communism, which is truley inhumane and violates the civil rights of gays, pro-democrats, etc. OR a return to the “glory days” of Havanna night clubs, corruption and graft.
That is why there is a stalemate - I think to reasonable people either alternative is repugnant, and a 3rd more resonable one is not in the offing, from Castro NOR the Cuban community in Miami.
While I can’t read minds - I can see why a black Cuban in Cuba now might not be thrilled about the prospect a return to the glory days: a minimum wage job in a Casino, racial discrimination, American record producers ripping off Cuban artists (not a dig at Ry C., but those who might inevitably follow), pollution, deforestation, massive American influence, etc.
Any ideas as to what this “3rd way” might entail?
3rd way - recently referred to by Clinton of all people, is neither state socialism, NOR rampant unbridled capitalism.
I really don’t think it will come to be until a major world wide political upheaval, but I think anything that gets away from two bad options is a start, even if it just an academic concept.
To be more direct, it is a system that considers BOTH ecomomic AND social benefits of policy. It also seeks to correctly estimate and address the consequences of technical and economic progress, instead of ignoring them (pollution, wealth inequity, etc.).
I think they have this in Europe, although it’s just a rumor, afterall, the US is number one!
I agree, with reservations due to concerns that what the father is saying may or may not be what the father wants to say, that Elian should be returned to Cuba.
One thing - several posters here have said he was 9 - everything I’ve read in the papers says 6.
I think he should also be given the right to come to the US as a legal alien, sponsored by his Miami relatives, at anytime, say between the age of 18 & 25. I have heard the someone in Congress has also made a similar proposal. I think this compromise preserves the father-child bond, and yet allows Elian the right to self-determination that cannot be fully exercised at age 6.
Sue from El Paso
Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
IIRC, the boy was picked up in the water. If that is the case, he should be sent back to Cuba with no questions asked, as INS policy dictates.
“I hear the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me.”
-T.S. Eliot
If Elian’s mother was a Mexican killed while illegally crossing the border would we even be having this discussion?
Longhrn & ruadh raise good issues except:
Cubans usually apply for political asylum. Given the current nature of US-Cuban relations, many if not most of these requests are granted. I believe this applies whether or not the immigrants actually reach US soil, but may need to check on this.
Mexicans cannot apply for political asylum. Therefore while ruadh is correct in that if a Mexican parent wanted the child back, the child would go back, but the analogy fails when applied to a Cuban child.
Sue from El Paso
Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
This may all become moot in a few years when Castro kicks and Havana becomes a tourist mecca. (<—wishful thinking)
Still, the little boy should be repatriated. He should be with his father.
Sue, relatively few Cubans enter the US under asylum - most gain admission through being sponsored by a family member or winning the visa lottery. There are a limited number of refugee visas available per year and so far I haven’t seen anything to suggest Elian or his mother would have been eligible for one.
Also, Mexicans can and do file for political asylum in the US, though it isn’t granted very often, Mexico being our ally.
That’s all really beside the point I was trying to make though. Any of the emotional (if not legal) arguments against sending Elian back to Cuba would be just as valid if he were Mexican - I just doubt many people would be making them.
oooops…Sue it’s just occurred to me you’re probably thinking of the Cubans who enter in Parolee status. And it is correct to say that Elian would be eligible for parole as a Cuban but not as a Mexican.
It’s still beside the point though 
Voltaire: I too live in South Florida and I am getting just a little tired of the Cuban-American community imposing its will on me through the disruption of my rights. It is beginning to irritate me no end to even hear the phrase “Cuban-American.” After all this time, why do they not refer to themselves as “American-Cuban,” or, even better, as “American.” The young boy in question should be returned to his father. As to the rest, if Cuba is so attractive, I am sure that Castro would welcome immigrants to his island. Especially those that claim Cuban descent, speak the Spanish language fluently and are able to bring American dollars with them. Please don’t misconstrue this as a racist rant of any sort. For my money, immigrants are welcome in America provided they intend to assimilate and not be endlessly wailing about the good old days in the home country.
Actually, Havana is a bit of a tourist mecca, and even a medical tourist mecca - more interesting than the casino variety. It just doesn’t include US tourists; so that’s a bit ethnocentric to suppose it ain’t 'cause we aren’t.
True enough, but legality aside… a Mexican child being sent back to Matamoros, to live in toxic waste and disease… versus Elian returning to his papi, in relatively decent conditions ? Remember the videotape which aired, showing his previous birthday: a mess o’ kids, a rent-a-clown, a cake… oh, yeah, it was videotaped ? So he didn’t get Power Rangers, but some cheap PRC knockoff… that’s the political repression we’re saving him from ?
A six-year old, hearing a constant stream of anti-Cuba blather… you suppose his thoughts will be clear at all when he “testifies” before the Congress ? It would be like keeping a 6 year-old Russian Jew in Irkutsk in 1975 from travelling with his mom to Israel because his dad is a scientist, and the kid says “he follows the party”…
Sorry for being off-topic and repetitive, but it’s not “true enough.” You may remember the case of Jesus Valles, a Mexican soldier who refused to take part in the slaughter of Zapatista rebels. He was given asylum in the US early last year. It is true that very few Mexicans are granted asylum, but there is nothing stopping them applying.