It has been one year since Elian Gonzalez was pulled from the home of his Miami relatives by heavily-armed U.S. Government agents to be returned to his father in Cuba. Who would have thought that such a small, innocent child, who lost his mother in a shipwreck while trying to flee Cuba for America, could become the center of political controversy.

The bitter custody battle that ensued between Juan Migel Gonzalez, Elian’s father, and the child’s Miami relatives reached into the homes of Americans and ignited a power struggle between Cuba and the United States. Still, Gonzalez claims that Elian suffered no ill effects from the experience, save the fact that he is now afraid of television cameras.

According to Gonzalez, “There was never any need for him to see a psychologist because from the very beginning when I saw him in Washington he looked to me to be the same Elian as always… normal, just as expressive.” Gonzalaz also told reporters that Elian does not miss his Miami relatives.

What does Elian have to say? Not much. In a translation provided by NBC, Elian stated, “I feel fine and my family is very happy. A year after all these events, life has gone back to normal. Everything is back to normal.”

Do you believe that Elian does not miss his Miami relatives? Do you think Elian should have been provided with psychological counseling? If the Elian Gonzalez story began today, would the Bush Administration have handled it differently than the Clinton Administration?