Six-year-old Elian Gonzalez became the center of a storm of debate when he was found floating on an inner tube Nov. 25 off the coast of Florida.

Elian's mother died in the journey from Cuba to the United States, leaving the question: Should Elian be sent back to Cuba to live with his father, or should he remain in Florida with relatives?

There should be no question of what to do. Elian is a little boy who should be living with his nearest relative and guardian, his father.

Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, is alive and well — and anxious for ElianŐs return to his home in Cuba. There is no evidence that Elian's father is anything but loving and devoted to his son. There are no signs that he ever abused or neglected Elian.

Instead, Elian lies in limbo in Miami, his fate uncertain.

People on all sides of the argument have spoken up with their two cents, all claiming to have ElianŐs best interests at heart.

President Bill Clinton said the law should decide. Elian's case is one of the hottest topics on this yearŐs presidential campaign. Congress members on both sides of the aisle are lobbying for Elian.

ElianŐs future has become yet another huge thorn in U.S.-Cuba relations. Thousands of Cuban exiles in the U.S. are protesting the Immigration and Naturalization Services decision to send him back to Cuba. In Cuba, meanwhile, Castro denounces the U.S. refusal to let Elian return to Cuba, and thousands of Cubans rallied behind Castro.

INS ruled that Elian return to Cuba by Jan. 14, a deadline come and gone while Elian remains in Miami. U.S. Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) filed a Congressional subpoena requesting that Elian testify before Congress. Elian's relatives in Florida are taking the case to federal court.

This is a boy who turned 6 years old last month. He doesnŐt need to testify before Congress. He is a little kid who needs to see his dad.

Where were all of these interested people when a boat full of Haitian refugees was sent back to Haiti a few weeks ago? If it isn't in ElianŐs best interests to go back to live in a Communist country, why is it best for them to go back to Haiti to live in poverty?

If the U.S. is going to keep Elian in Florida against his father's wishes, what does that say about parents' rights? Are they nonexistent?

If Elian, one little boy, doesn't deserve to live in Cuba because he won't have the same opportunities for freedom there, what about the millions of people living in Cuba? All of the people who are so adamant he remain in the U.S. don't seem want to "free" the rest of Cuba's citizens from Communism.

Is anyone truly thinking of what would benefit Elian most?

This decision shouldnŐt be based on election-year politics or the riff between the U.S. and Cuba.

ItŐs about a little boy with a father who loves him, a father who wants his son back. Elian lost his mother; why should he now lose his father?

Let Elian go home.

• Let Elian Go