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America - Europe

A Transatlantic Diary 1961 - 1989

Klaus Lanzinger


May 7, 1980

Much Depends Now on Yugoslavia

After the passing of Marshal Tito, apprehensions have come up again that the Soviet Union may put a tight rein on Yugoslavia if not occupy it militarily. Although there is no imminent threat of a military occupation, the Soviet Union will not pass up the opportunity of trying to influence the Yugoslav situation in her favor. Much depends now on Yugoslavia itself whether it will be able to muster the discipline for national unity. If the old rivalries between the Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian and other ethnic groups should flare up again, not only Yugoslavia but the entire region would be affected.

[Marshal Tito held the office of President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for life. After his death, the authority of governing the state was transferred to a collective body of eight members with a rotating presidency among the individual republics. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia finally disintegrated as a result of the ethnic conflict.]

South Bend, May 8, 1980

The Exodus from Cuba

After thousands of Cubans had stormed the Peruvian Embassy in Havana seeking asylum, Fidel Castro allowed all those who wanted to leave the island to exit. That set off a massive exodus from Cuba. For weeks the Straits of Florida have been crossed by any navigable ship or boat in an attempt to reach Key West or Miami. The stream of people is so large that immigration officers and relief organizations are working beyond capacity to take care of the refugees. Tens of thousands of refugees are now joining the 600,000 Cuban exiles that live in Miami. The scenes that are playing out every day on the coast of Florida are heart-wrenching. But not all refugees are coming out of pure desire for freedom. In a cynical way, Fidel Castro used the opportunity to empty his prisons so that criminal elements have mingled among the refugees. The Carter Administration has been indulgent and humane by having until now admitted all refugees who landed on Florida’s shores.

[Middle of May], 1980

A few graspable outlines are taking shape out of the chaos first created by the Cuban exodus. The stream of refugees may swell to an estimated 60,000 people. There are various reasons for this large exodus. Many have come to Florida to meet with family members whom they had not seen in 20 years. But most of them fled to escape the dire economic conditions and political repression. The criminal element among the refugees may make up for only 1% of the total. As a consequence of the Cuban exodus, the entire Caribbean got into turmoil. Also thousands of people are leaving Haiti who want to come to America. The screening process of the refugees for immigration to the United States has just begun.

Addendum

[On the 20th anniversary of the exodus from Cuba in May of 1980, the Chicago Tribune carried a front page article that gave a comprehensive overview of the event. From that article a number of pertinent details can be learned. The exodus from Cuba in the spring of 1980 has become known as “Mariel” because it was launched from the port of Mariel near Havana. The exodus had started on April 20, 1980 and reached its peak in May. However, it continued over the summer until the beginning of fall. The port of Mariel was closed on September 26, 1980. Altogether about 125,000 Marielitos came to South Florida. The criminal element among them may have accounted for nearly 5,000, that is 4% of the total. That new wave of Cuban exiles has completely changed the image of “Little Havana,” the southern part of Miami. The original stigma which the Mariel immigrants had to endure has long been overcome. In the course of two decades, they have proved to be adaptable and successful. They were able to establish businesses of their own and to gain political influence. See the article titled “Pride has replaced stigma for 1980 Mariel arrivals,” Chicago Tribune, May 15, 2000, sec. 1/pp. 1, 14.]

South Bend, May 15, 1980

25 Years Austrian State Treaty

I still remember vividly how on Sunday, May 15, 1955, at noon the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in the Belvedere Palace in Vienna was broadcast on radio. I was at that time with my family in Innsbruck. At first, there was a moment of disbelief until the reality of the State Treaty sank in. When Foreign Minister Leopold Figl, who together with Chancellor Julius Raab and the representatives of the signatory powers had come out on the balcony of the Belvedere Palace, holding aloft the State Treaty, proclaimed: “Österreich ist frei!” (Austria is free!) - the Austrian people erupted in jubilation. That was the moment of destiny for modern Austria.

After 25 years one can say that the State Treaty and Austrian neutrality have proved their worth exceedingly well. In the same year Austria was admitted to the United Nations and could take on the role of mediator between East and West.


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