U.S. weighing options on Elian

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, APRIL 10. With the Sunday television talk shows taken up by the Elian Gonzalez saga in the U.S. since the tragic shipwreck of last November, the Justice Department is still studying ways for the re-union between the son and the father, an event that will hopefully be without the use of force. But senior Clinton administration officials are quietly warning that the letter of the law will be followed.

If the Justice Department - and the White House - do not wish for any major spectacles to unfold this week, it is not without good reason. The Department under the supervision of the Attorney- General, Ms. Janet Reno, has come under fire over the last six years for a variety of reasons including the fashion in which the FBI handled the Branch Dravidians at Waco, Texas. With the Cuban exile community in Florida up in arms over the manner in which Washington has gone about settling the Elian case, authorities are apprehensive of what would follow.

Outwardly, the law enforcement agencies are not giving the impression that they are wary of using force. In fact, the point has been made last week that if push came to shove, Federal Marshalls will be sent to the home of Elian's relatives. And the Justice Department has said that if Elian's relatives hardened their position, then all other offers - including one that would keep Elian and his father, Mr. Juan Miguel Gonzalez, in the U.S. until such time a Federal Appeals Court rules on the case next month - are off the table.

The drama is being enacted in at least two places - in Miami-Dade County, Florida where Elian is staying with his great uncle; and in Bethesda, a quiet neighbourhood in Maryland where Mr. Gonzalez is staying at the house of the Head of the Cuban Interests section. In Bethesda, police have cordoned off the residential area to the media and curious onlookers but the situation is a little tense with relatives of Elian trying to meet his father to try and sort the issue out.

The Clinton administration which has long taken the position that the Cuban lad must be re-united with his father - a ruling initially of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service - is no doubt anxious for the high drama to be over at the earliest. But on Sunday came word from Miami that the meeting between Elian, the family and the group of three psychiatric experts may not be possible on Monday. One of the daughters of the great uncle of Elian is in hospital and the family is insisting that she should be a part of the discussion.

For the record, the Justice Department's top official, Ms. Reno is not willing to discuss the use of force as a last resort. In fact, the Attorney-General says the plans to this effect have not been formally presented to her. ``I hope with all my heart that the rule of law prevails, and I expect that it will,'' she said in an interview.

But her Deputy, Mr. Eric Holder, has said that while the objective is a peaceful transfer, the authorities will take Elian from unwilling hands if it comes to that. ``We don't expect anything like that to happen... We will do what is necessary to reunite father and son, however,'' he said.

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Section  : International
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