Elian Gonzalez and Castro

Re “A Last Gasp of the Emigre Old Guard,” Opinion, April 2: It appears that the Cuban American community is the enemy. We are not; Fidel Castro is. And yes, we have a great political power that for over 40 years has prevented the lifting of the embargo.

And for Lisandro Perez’s information, we are not fighting to recover our homeland for ourselves because we were forced to make this land of freedom our land, but for the millions of Cubans who suffer the longest-lasting tyranny known in modern times. This fact, as usual, was not mentioned in your article. Cuba will be free in spite of papers like The Times.

ANGEL COFINO

Culver City

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Perez is right on the money. The gray heads (old guard) are keeping our government hostage. And isn’t it strange that they talk about the “hell” of Cuba--and in their demonstrations wave the Cuban flag. Elian Gonzalez deserves better than these political radicals--he deserves his father.

HARRY HENSON

Thousand Oaks

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We have a foreign country within America called Miami.

JEAN BARONE

Ontario

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With all due respect, Vice President Al Gore, if you think that by taking sides with Elian’s family and the majority of Cubans in exile you are going to get our vote: Sorry! Too little too late!

MARIO ABELLEIRA

North Hollywood

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Re Gore and George W. Bush on Elian: Whose idea was it to decriminalize pandering during an election year?

MICHAEL HIRSH

Valley Glen

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Politics aside, what is it with the Miami relatives? Why don’t they just say they intend to kidnap the boy regardless of what anyone says or does? First, they wanted their day in court. Then, they said they would release Elian only to his father. Now, they back down on that? It is clear they could not care less about the law and care more about hurting a country they long since left.

ERIC J. KUYPER

Long Beach