Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Lina Lofaro, Desa Philadelphia, Alain L. Sanders, Flora Tartakovsky and Josh Tyrangiel
April 24, 2000 12:00 AM EDT
Although the story of an international custody battle is the stuff of epic poetry, the situation of Elian Gonzalez has been covered so minutely that it lends itself to a more intimate genre. Perhaps that’s why some of the people involved seem to be speaking in haikus.
Papa, I do not Want to go to Cuba. If You want to, stay here. –Elian Gonzalez
And let us, by our Example, show Castro what This land truly means. –Attorney General Janet Reno
At every turn there Has been a betrayal. We Can’t let our guard down. –Carlos Rivero, 34, a car salesman, outside the Miami house
If you don’t think it’s Right, then you can say, Well, we Ought to change the laws. –President Clinton
Elian deserves An asylum hearing. That’s What we’re fighting for. –Linda Osberg-Braun, attorney for the Miami relatives
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