CUBA . . . SLIPPING PAST THE GUARD

U.S. Coast Guard boats stepped up patrols off the Florida coast on orders from Attorney General Janet Reno to discourage anyone from assisting would-be refugees from Cuba. Reno made the decision late Thursday after three Cuban Americans were arrested for allegedly trying to pick up 22 refugees in Cuba in their speedboat and bring them back to the U.S. But Cubans who make it to Florida will still be let onto American soil -- a policy Fidel Castro blasted last night on Cuban TV as the reason for the emigrations. This morning, Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Castro's failures at reform are behind it all.