WASHINGTON - (AP) -- Concerned they could be national security risks, the Justice Department imposed severe restrictions including solitary confinement on five Cubans serving long prison sentences for conspiracy to commit espionage and other charges.

  After one month, Justice officials now have decided to suspend the measures.

  The Cuban government had complained bitterly about the treatment of the five, arguing that the restrictions were preventing them from preparing properly for an appeal of their June 2001 convictions in a Miami court.

  The Special Administrative Measures, or SAMs, are designed to ensure that prisoners loyal to a foreign power do not carry out activities on behalf of that country through phone calls or other contacts.

  Dagoberto Rodriguez, President Fidel Castro's chief representative in Washington, said in an interview this week that there was ''strong psychological pressure'' on the five.

  Efforts to obtain comment from Justice Department and Bureau of Prisons spokesman about these allegations were unsuccessful.