... by the mother, John. Granted, she was trying to take her child to the U.S. (albeit against the law in Cuba and without the knowledge of the father, which is also a violation of child custody laws in this country). However, she was not expecting to die in the process, so her actions cannot be characterized as a death wish. Furthermore, because she died, we have no way of knowing what her wish for the child would have been under the circumstances as they now exist.

This is a truly sad situation, but I am satisfied that political considerations (either pro-U.S., which I am, or anti-Castro, which I also am) have no place in the discussion. The boy should have been returned to his father immediately. I understand the emotional arguments in favor of keeping him here (and I understand why those who favor them, such as yourself, do so). But, unemotional heads (the INS, other government agencies and, unfortunately, the courts) should have nevertheless done what is right and should have done it long ago.

While we agree that the preferred result is what's best for this child, we'll have to disagree on what that preferred result is, John, because the boy will not have real freedom in this country as long as he is separated from his father. The political situation in Cuba is transient. If he is separated from his father for the balance of his childhood, he will suffer permanent and irreparable harm. Under such conditions, the United States will be nothing more or less than a large, open air prison. ----- jim o\-S