Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 25, 1994                   TAG: 9408250126
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

U.S. BRACES FOR CUBANS FACILITIES TO DOUBLE AT GUANTANAMO

The American naval base now has a capacity to house, feed and guard 23,000 refugees. By the end of next week, it will be able to handle as many as 40,000.

``We have significant capacity beyond that and will expand beyond that, if necessary,'' Perry said at a White House press conference.

Growing numbers of Cubans have been intercepted at sea each day this week, despite the Clinton administration's decision Friday to bar them from entering the United States.

Administration officials have not said what will happen to the Cubans sent to Guantanamo, where thousands of Haitians already are detained. But Perry indicated that they may eventually return to Cuba.

``We are preparing to maintain that base indefinitely, if necessary, until such time as the people can be repatriated to Cuba,'' he said.

In a follow-up briefing, White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers emphasized that the administration does not plan to force anyone to return to Cuba.

``We're not asking anybody to go back against their will, but if people are interested in that option, we're willing to try to work it out,'' Myers said.

Attorney General Janet Reno warned Cubans not to make the trip to the United States, because they will only end up in Guantanamo or another safe haven in the region. The administration is talking to a dozen countries in the area about establishing havens for Cubans. Among the possible sites are Turks and Caicos Islands, Panama and Suriname.

Directing herself to Cuban families in Miami, Reno said: ``Some people feel that if you get to Guantanamo, you're going to be able to come to the United States. That is simply not so.'' And to the people of Cuba, she added: ``Do not risk your lives. It is too dangerous.''

Reno emphasized that Cubans will not be processed for immigration or asylum at Guantanamo. She said the administration would rather see Cubans apply to immigrate inside Cuba. Cubans are allotted 28,000 slots for immigration a year, but so far only 3,000 people have applied in Cuba for immigration visas.

The administration has turned Guantanamo, a 45-square-mile base that is leased from Cuba under a 1934 treaty, into a long-term holding camp for Haitians and Cubans. A total of 14,000 Haitians are now on the base, while Cubans number 2,000. Perry said another 7,000 Cubans aboard Coast Guard cutters or Navy ships are on their way to Guantanamo.