Posted on 08/01/2004 2:57:57 PM PDT by Libloather
4 years after return to Cuba, Elian a normal schoolboy
BY MAKI BECKER
New York Daily News
Posted on Sat, Jul. 31, 2004
NEW YORK - (KRT) - Elian Gonzalez, now 10, hits the books in Cardenas, Cuba, where he lives with his father.
Four years after little Elian Gonzalez was plucked from the seas off Florida's coast and sparked an international custody battle, the young boy is leading a sheltered and almost normal life back in Cuba.
Elian lives with his father in their hometown of Cardenas and he still sports the same impish grin that captivated the world back in 2000.
In an interview with NBC's "Dateline" to air Sunday, Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, says he has generally kept Elian out of the limelight, even moving to a secret location in town to avoid the press.
"The media (in Miami) intimidated him, pressured him most of all," Gonzalez said in his first interview in three years. "It totally overwhelmed him."
As Elian's American relatives fought to keep him in the U.S. and his father sought to take him back to Cuba, hundreds of reporters camped out outside their Miami home, recording every movement of the photogenic little boy.
The custody clash even led to a war of words between Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and the boy's fiercely anti-Castro American relatives.
The stalemate ended dramatically as heavily armed federal officers stormed the house in the middle of the night, snatched the terrified boy and took him into protective custody.
Elian still grieves for his mother who drowned when their boat capsized on its way to Florida, Gonzalez said, but he has adjusted to life well.
"I can truly say that since his return, my son has never had to see a psychologist, or anyone else," Gonzalez told "Dateline NBC."
Elian is learning karate and has two girlfriends, Gonzalez reports.
And federal agents tear gassing bystanders, "keeping track of local politicians," beating up cameramen and pointing guns at unarmed civilians is somehow not evil?
Please.
Let's not even talk about Waco or Ruby Ridge.
Well, you all fought on the same side of the issue.
You should then have the courage to stand by the full implications of your convictions.
But according to your post, on the other side are the counterterrorism defenders of our rights. How elitist of you. As if none of us here have family members who are in harm's way defending us all. And those who don't, STILL have a right to complain about what went down at Elian's house.
Just exactly how many times do you need me to say that Mike didn't do any of those things?
BTW, my 16 year old thinks it's really sick that you wish her dad was dead.
You must be quite an example to your own kids.
By all means, complain away.
I'm not making any argument about those clowns. You, in your attmept to flame and/or intimidate me say that. And I wish you would stop speaking for me...I have not done that to you.
I am saying that in this case, I support the family. Elian's only living parent. Not the "State".
If this father had not come after him, I would not be making the same argument.
Hi PD!
Haven't seen you around here much, lately.
Let me guess?
Someone's wishing death apon a federal empolyee because he dared cross Randy Weaver and/or David Koresh? (Or, is in a position that he could have?)
Yeah...Those people are a real treat. And unfortunately, all too common.
Again...
List all your beliefs and then I'll link you to scumbags concerning EACH one!
Like I said...WEAK!!
Elian was rescued on Thanksgiving Day, Juan Miguel finally decided to come get his son in April.
What's the matter?
Can't you come up with stuff on your own?
Castro's Human Rights Violations Against Cuban Children
Isaac Cohen, separated from his father for seven years and still waiting
Armando Valladares, First hand account of child abuse, Cuban style
No. I'm just not a jerk.
What?
You just hang out with them?
What a sad, sad day for the United States of America.
Nice to see you PD!
Like I've said: I think it's a God given right to be able to lay claim your child that has only one living parent left. Regardless of what country Elian's father is from.
It's called a free press. Yes, they have the manners and ethics of a pack of rabid dogs but at least they are not controlled by the government.
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