WASHINGTON -- Awaiting Justice Department documents relating to the seizure of Elian Gonzalez, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Friday postponed a hearing that he had scheduled for next Wednesday into the matter.
Hatch had requested such documents by Friday but said the Justice Department told him that it could not meet the deadline nor produce data in sufficient time for the scheduled hearing.Hatch issued a statement saying his Judiciary Committee would postpone until "all the documents requested on this matter and additional material facts can be obtained and reviewed. It is hoped that a hearing date can be rescheduled in the coming weeks."
Hatch requested all documents relating to:
Surveillance of the home of Elian's Miami relatives, including but not limited to the possibility of weapons at the site.
Details surrounding the obtaining of the search warrant and arrest warrant.
How the decision was made to enter the home and the means of entry.
The conduct of the operation in which the boy was seized and taken to Maryland.
Hatch has been an outspoken critic of the raid in which the 6-year-old was seized at gunpoint and handed over to his father, who wants to return to Cuba. The boy's mother fled from Cuba and drowned while on a raft headed to America. Elian was rescued by fishermen.
Hatch has said Attorney General Janet Reno has not provided sufficient evidence that such a show of force was necessary or wise. He also has questioned whether the Justice Department had obtained and served warrants properly.
Earlier this week, the senator asked, "Where are we, the Soviet Union . . . or Cuba? You might expect that kind of action in Cuba, but not in America."