Al Neuharth speaks out on U.S. Cuba policy at award dinner honoring Elián González

11.06.00

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WASHINGTON — The Freedom Forum honored Elián González tonight at a dinner at the Mayflower Hotel celebrating the first Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award. The annual $1 million award was created to honor Allen H. Neuharth, founder of The Freedom Forum and USA TODAY, when he retired as a Freedom Forum trustee on his 75th birthday.

The prize will be used to create the Free Spirit Youth Refugee Fund to provide humanitarian assistance and scholarship aid to needy refugee children from any country who are living in the United States. The fund will be administered by The Freedom Forum, which will select organizations or young people to receive funds.

"It is my hope," said Neuharth, "that Elián can become the symbol that will bring about a new relationship between the USA and our neighbors in Cuba."

In his remarks, Neuharth noted that "The Freedom Forum is absolutely non-political in domestic and foreign affairs, as it should be." But, he said, "as a Freedom Forum retiree and as an active columnist for USA TODAY, I have the luxury — and the free spirit — to express my opinion on any subject."

He continued, "The fact is that our failed Cuban policy simply is wrong. The time has come for a complete revision of that policy. Specifically, we should restore full diplomatic relations, lift the trade embargo and all economic sanctions, and remove all travel restrictions. It is my hope that the spirit and symbol of Elián González may help bring that about. If that happens, Elián will be remembered and revered in both countries long after President Clinton and Castro are gone."

Neuharth's remarks followed a panel discussion that analyzed the news coverage of the González story. Panelists were Louis D. Boccardi, president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press, Alberto Ibargüen, publisher of The Miami Herald and chairman of The Miami Herald Publishing Co. and Alan Diaz, the Associated Press photographer who took the photo of Elián being removed from the home of his Miami relatives.