Cuban diplomats in Brasilia did not respond to telephone inquiries today about the report.

Mr. Gonzalez had left the home, which belongs to the Cuban diplomat, about 20 minutes before the group arrived.

On Sunday, a Cuban diplomat here said, "It's clear that we are reinforcing our troops."

"We don't do lobbying," one Cuban diplomat said.

It was met by silence from Cuban diplomats here.

The United States responded with similar restrictions on Cuban diplomats.

Cuban diplomats in Washington did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Family members of Cuban diplomats took shelter in the residence after the American invasion began last week.

Tempering the signs of possible progress, however, the public statements by American and Cuban diplomats suggested that some major differences remained.

Cuban diplomats in the interests section here cannot travel more than 25 miles out of the capital without the State Department's permission.