BY FRANCES ROBLES

 WASHINGTON -- At least two dozen Cuban diplomats, their spouses, kids and aides have logged visits to Elian Gonzalez since he moved with his dad to a rural Maryland plantation last week.

 Records obtained by The Herald show 10 Cuban government officials -- including some of the country's highest ranking officers -- accompanied Elian and his father Juan Miguel to the Wye River Plantation the day they moved there. Subsequent excursions by more than 10 others were reported to the U.S. State Department, which said that at least two Interests Section officers visit daily.

 On Saturday, eight children of Cuban diplomats visited Elian, along with the Interests Section's chief, Fernando Remirez. On Sunday, another diplomat brought two daughters and another friend.

 The visits have angered the Miami relatives of Elian, who say they believe the Cubans are engaged in brainwashing the boy. Juan Miguel's lawyer, Gregory Craig, did not return phone calls but has previously labeled such allegations ``silly.''

 U.S. government officials defended the visits Thursday, saying it is perfectly logical for someone engaged in protracted legal battles in a foreign country to have contact with his government's representatives.

 COFFEY COMPLAINS

 Gonzalez family attorney Kendall Coffey complained about the visits in a letter to the Department of Justice, accusing the INS of conspiring to reprogram the first-grader. His clients have not been permitted to visit Elian.

 ``The INS' complicity in the current phase of Elian's indoctrination is profoundly disturbing,'' Coffey wrote.

 Elian and his father Juan Miguel moved to the Wye Plantation in rural Maryland on April 25. They were joined days later by a Cuban teacher, schoolchildren, and a doctor who brought antibiotics and antidepressants on the voyage. The drugs were seized at Dulles Airport by U.S. Customs agents, who gave Dr. Caridad Ponce de Leon a receipt in case she wants the medications back.

 Members of Congress are aware of the diplomats' visits because of a federal law which requires Cuban officers to report each time they travel more than 25 miles from the nation's capital. The State Department in turn shares the log with select members of Congress on the condition the information be considered classified.

 Cuban Interests Section spokesman Luis Fernandez could not be reached for comment Thursday; telephones there went unanswered.

 A State Department official said the visits have been routine, and are often simply an Interests Section chauffeur bringing supplies. None of the diplomats have stayed overnight. On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, two visited; Tuesday, one.

 ``They are staying in a place that doesn't come with food. They don't speak English, and none of these people have a driver's license in this country,'' the official said. ``They come from a place that doesn't have pilots on their stove. Clearly, they are in need of some assistance.''

 VISITORS RESTRICTED

 A U.S. Marshals spokeswoman said only visitors with prior approval from Craig are allowed in to the Wye Plantation to see the family.

 ``We don't keep track of who is going in and out, the same way we didn't keep track of who was in and out of Lazaro Gonzalez's house,'' INS spokeswoman Maria Cardona said. ``It would be unrealistic for anyone to think Juan Miguel would have zero contact with officials from his own government. It doesn't concern us. They're not staying overnight and they are not on diplomatic soil.''

 A federal court has ordered that Elian not be taken to any place with diplomatic immunity.

 ``It's not really our place to say who can come see him and who may not,'' said Justice Department spokeswoman Carole Florman. ``Based on the very little I know, the only thing this child is being reintegrated into is his family's life.''

 The Justice Department wrote the Gonzalez family Monday, offering for Marisleysis to meet with Elian's government psychiatrist, Dr. Paulina Kernberg, as a first step to a reunion with Elian. Attorney Manny Diaz said Thursday the family is ready to meet with the experts as early as today.

 Kernberg has said previously that she would not recommend a meeting between Elian and the Miami relatives until their anger has subsided and they are resigned to Juan Miguel having custody of Elian.

 Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report.

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald