Neuharth urges normal relations with Cuba

By Cheryl Arvidson
The Freedom Forum Online

11.06.00

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Louis D. Boccardi

WASHINGTON — Calling 6-year-old Elián González a symbol of the "failed" U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba, Freedom Forum founder Allen H. Neuharth said on Nov. 3 that it is time to reestablish full diplomatic relations, lift trade and economic restrictions and eliminate all limits on travel to the island nation.

Speaking at the first annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award Program, where the $1 million prize that goes with the award was announced in Elián's name, Neuharth told the crowd, "My only regret tonight is that he is not with us to receive this award in person."

Neuharth said he hoped that Elián would become "the symbol that will bring about a new relationship between the USA and our neighbors in Cuba" and that he will "succeed where nine U.S. presidents have failed" in bringing about a normalized relationship between the two countries.

Neuharth, the founder of The Freedom Forum and of USA TODAY, said his remarks were personal and should not be interpreted as a foreign policy statement by the nonprofit Freedom Forum.

"The Freedom Forum is absolutely nonpolitical in domestic and foreign affairs, as it should be," Neuharth said. But he added that "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."

"The fact is that our failed Cuban policy simply is wrong," he continued. "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."

Because of U.S. laws prohibiting giving money to Cuban nationals, The Freedom Forum is using the prize to establish 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.

But Neuharth said he hoped that someday it would be possible to "present this award to Elián in his home territory."

Earlier, Associated Press president and CEO Louis D. Boccardi, interviewed two Florida journalists who were intimately involved in covering the story of Elián, who was plucked from the seas by fishermen after his mother fled Cuba with him. Elián's mother died in the escape attempt, and the drama of his father's efforts to get the child and return him to Cuba dominated the news for months earlier this year.

In the end, Elián was taken from the home of his Miami relatives in a predawn raid by U.S. law enforcement agents after the family refused to comply with a series of court rulings upholding the father's custody rights.

Alan Diaz

Alan Diaz, now an AP photographer, was a free-lancer when he snapped the memorable picture of agents rushing into the bedroom where Elián was being held. Boccardi's other interview guest was Alberto Ibarguen, publisher of The Miami Herald.

Ibarguen said it took some time before his newspaper became aware that the Elián story would be the exceptional saga it was. Someone arriving from Cuba by sea and seeking to be reunited with relatives who have established residence in this country is "perhaps the most common story in Cuban Miami," he said.

"In and of itself, it looked like it was going to be a touching but not particularly memorable" saga, Ibarguen said. "The expectation was that he would stay."

But when it was learned that the young boy had a father in Cuba with whom he had a wonderful relationship, "it immediately made this a different story," he said.

Alberto Ibarguen

Diaz told of how he established a close relationship with Elián's Miami relatives and others in their neighborhood that gave him access to the house where Elián was staying — access no other photojournalist had — so he could get the photographs that made the story come alive. He said he didn't go to bed the night of the raid and was awake around 5 a.m. when he heard the federal agents arrive.

Diaz said he leaped the fence and was let into the house by Elián's family. He then found the child in the bedroom, turned on his strobe light and waited for the agents to come through the bedroom door. He said he remembers very little about the moments that led up to the seizure of the child except an agent telling him to "back off" and Elián crying.

Asked what had happened to the family in the months since Elián was returned to his father, Diaz said he had seen them a few times on assignments and "I would say that they're trying to go back to a normal life." They have moved from the house, but another relative has purchased the property, and Diaz said he thinks the family will turn the house into a museum.

Related

Freedom Forum travels to Cuba to honor Elián González
Foundation officials present 8-year-old with Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award after U.S. government approves trip.  02.13.02

Neuharth Free Spirit Award honors Elián González
$1 million prize to fund assistance for refugee children.  10.17.00