BY FRANK DAVIES

 WASHINGTON -- Sen. Bob Graham, the Florida Democrat often allied with the Clinton
 administration, complained Monday that hes striking out with President Clinton on issues about
 Cuba and Elian Gonzalez.

 ``Right now, Im 0 for 2,'' he said from Miami.

 Graham provided more details about his complaint that Clinton did not follow through on two
 assurances made during a private Oval Office conversation: that no action would be taken to
 seize Elian at night, and that U.S. officials would contact the Cuban government to discuss how the
 boy would be treated if he were returned.

 Graham was attending a White House meeting on prescription drugs three weeks ago and asked
 Chief of Staff John Podesta if he could have a few minutes with Clinton. He got it.

 ``I told the president of the tremendous anxiety in the community and with the [Gonzalez] family, that
 some sort of action would take place at night,'' Graham recalled. ``People were going without sleep
 and Elian was affected.''

 Graham said Clintons response to his request that nothing take place at night was: ``We can do that.''

 The senator also asked that the State Department urge Cuban officials ``not to turn Elian into a
 propaganda trophy'' if he is returned, and Clinton replied that was reasonable.

 But Graham said he checked recently with the State Department, and those discussions arent
 happening.

 White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said Monday he had not talked to Clinton about
 Grahams complaint and was ``not aware of any specific commitments made,'' but would check on
 it.

 Graham, mentioned as a possible running mate for Al Gore, said he was perplexed.

 ``Its inexplicable,'' he said. ``Were friends. I hope thats still in the present tense -- it may be the past
 tense now.''

 Graham also said Monday that he has been told the Justice Department will signal its interest in
 reunifying the Gonzalez family -- Elian's father and the Miami relatives -- ``early this week,'' leaving the
 impression, but not specifically promising, that this means [cq]today.

 ``I can report that the Justice Department, at least one high official, is going to be urging that there will
 be an early start to the family reunification,'' said Graham, who has voiced disappointment over the
 Clinton administration's ``gross and excessive use of force.''

 Herald senior political writer Mark Silva contributed to this report.

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald