Webster EdwardsTHE ELIAN GONZALEZ case has undoubtedly become the human interest story of the year. His picture is not simply readily recognisable throughout the world, but he is reported to have received far more network coverage in his seven months sojourn in the United States, than the tragic deaths of either Princess Diana or John Kennedy Jnr.
Now after what must have seemed to many as an eternity, Elian is now happily reunited with his family in Cuba and the world has breathed a sigh of relief that good sense has finally prevailed; that right has triumphed over might and that the rule of law has eventually had its day.
The lingering question was how long was it going to take for the various courts in the United States to affirm that Elian belonged to his father and not with distant exploitative relatives.
But the US policy on Cuba must be blamed for the whole squalid episode. Embargoes do not hurt those in power but average citizens within a country. Towards this end, the exile community could have used its influence to far better advantage by forcing the US Government to lift the ban on Cuba in its entirety.
The Cuban exiles were involved in a fight which could not be morally defended. It was not a fight which was concerned about the well-being of a little boy who had unfortunately lost his mom, but rather an occasion which was used by them as a rallying point for the advancement of their own selfish ends.
But good can sometimes emerge from experiences of misfortune, and this might very well prove to be the beginning of a new relationship between Cuba and the United States.
In this regard, Juan Miguel Gonzalez's own role has proven to be diplomacy at its very best. His constant display of affection towards his son must be a lesson to all people of what real fatherhood is all about.
In thanking the people of the United States, his was the voice of moderation and reconciliation as he expressed the wish that this might prove to be the beginning of a new bond of friendship between the people of Cuba and the people of the United States. Already, largely because of his influence, together with the lobby of agribusiness giants, the ban on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba has been lifted.
But the real losers are the Miami exiles.
They are witnessing what is perhaps the lowest point in their popularity as an effective lobby group in their fight against communism. The exiles are now expendable, and have proven themselves to be more an embarrassment to United States foreign policy than an asset.
The truth is that American legislators on both sides of the House are now seriously questioning the wisdom of their foreign policy against Cuba. This is within the context where it is recognised that the world has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. We have seen the end of the Cold War and people are slowly recognising that despite a preference for democracy, communism is not the monster that many had envisaged in the past. Today, the United States is actively cementing trade ties with China. We are now living in what has been described as a global village and increasingly, individual nations are minor players within a larger group.
What are some of the learning experiences emerging from this episode. First, Juan Miguel demonstrates what true patriotism is all about. That there is much more to the concept of life than the material things on which we tend to place such emphasis. President Clinton in his own words indicated that if Juan Miguel wanted to remain in the United States, he would have done nothing to prevent him from obtaining that status. In fact, a significant lobby was mounted with the expressed wish to encourage Juan Miguel's defection from Cuba. But life is not simply about cars and wealth and Disneyland. In his own words he mentioned how happy he was to be returning to his own people.
Secondly, Juan Miguel in his straightforward honest and simple style contributed significantly towards the American understanding of the average Cuban person living in a communist state. This contributed significantly towards changing the stereotypical image which was purveyed by what was sometimes a very hostile and insular media.
Finally, one should not underestimate the role of the Church particularly that played by the Reverend Joan Brown Campbell from the National Council of Churches in the US, as an advisor to Juan Miguel. Her shuttle diplomacy between Havana and the United States, and her voice of moderation and reason contributed towards the people of America understanding the issues at hand. The world will continue to follow the progress of Elian, and one sincerely hopes that the scars of the past months will have no lasting effects.
Webster Edwards works in the inner city and is executive director of Operation Friendship.
