Elian case leaves impact on Florida politics

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK, APRIL 30. All indications thus far point to the Elian Gonzalez case staying in the realm of Florida politics even if the ramifications and the noise on the legal front is being heard on a national level. On Saturday, thousands of Cuban Americans marched through the streets of Little Havana protesting the way in which the authorities seized the six-year-old Elian and re- united him with his father.

That politicians have been quick to latch on to the case has been apparent from the day the Justice Department made it known that it was for reunion between the father and the son. But on Saturday, the focus on the streets of Little Havana was on unity and peace - that the community was rallying behind the young boy and the protests having to be peaceful as the earlier ones got out of hand resulting in the arrest of some 300 persons.

The Republicans' stance on Elian Gonzalez was clear from the very outset and even politicians in New York like the Mayor, Mr. Rudy Giulliani, have reasoned that he must stay in this country. In fact, Mr. Giulliani - who is still saying that he is interested in challenging Mrs Clinton for the New York Senate race - had come down heavily on the manner in which the Federal Agents went about their business ``securing'' Elian from the home of his great uncle. Mrs Clinton lost no time in taking the Mayor to task for his reference to the Federal Agents as ``storm troopers''.

To even the very ignorant of how politics takes shape in this country, what is taking place in Florida and in the context of Elian Gonzalez is not too difficult to figure out. The only loud noise coming from politicians are from the State of Florida - both Republicans and Democrats. And on a national level, the person to add his ``voice'' to the Cuban American community has been the Democratic Vice-President, Mr. Albert Gore Jr.

In distancing himself from the administration tactics, Mr. Gore has been accused by his detractors of playing the political game - looking for a few votes in Florida, if not the State itself on November 7. The latter may be hard to come by just on account of Elian Gonzalez. But in the State of New York, the First Lady who defended the actions of the Attorney General, Ms Janet Reno, and the Justice Department has taken a lot of flak from the Cuban American National Foundation.

The Foundation denounced Mrs Clinton's statements on the Elian case, calling them an offence to the Cuban American community and to the intelligence of the American people. Arguing that Mrs Clinton has failed to ask why Ms Reno took forcible steps to remove the boy when negotiations were going on, the Cuban American National Foundation said, ``She (Mrs Clinton) is trying to defend an indefensible position. This is unconscionable and yet another reminder of the deplorable lies and `Clinton- speak' that the people of New York are now being subjected to.''

In the State of New York, Mrs Clinton is in a difficult position in the sense that she - like the Vice-President - is constantly having to comment on actions of the President, Mr. Bill Clinton, and his administration.

On a national level, this is particularly more troublesome to Mr. Gore either way - if he supports an administration policy or distances himself. The Cuban American community may not mean much in terms of political weight in the State of New York, but the responses of Mr. Gore and Mrs Clinton on the Elian Gonzalez case will continue to merit attention.

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Section  : International
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