BY CYNTHIA CORZO, ELAINE DE VALLE AND TIM JOHNSON

 Following the resignation of one of its most recognizable leaders, the Cuban American National Foundation begins its annual congress today in Puerto Rico facing the most serious internal rift since its founding 20 years ago.

 The division, reflected in a threat by several directors to boycott today's meeting, centers on the leadership of Jorge Mas Santos. He is the young business magnate who
 took the reins of the foundation after the 1997 death of his father, Jorge Mas Canosa, the charismatic and powerful founder of CANF.

 The younger Mas has tried to soften the foundation's image and broaden its appeal to increase bipartisan support. That has alienated some longtime directors who see no need to deal with the issue of Cuba with anything less than steely resolve.

 Unhappiness over the leadership of Mas Santos emerged on Thursday with the abrupt resignations of longtime foundation spokeswoman Ninoska Pérez Castellón, a
 popular radio talk-show host, and her husband, Roberto Martín Pérez, a longtime political prisoner in Cuba.

 Mas Santos denied that the high-profile resignations had any effect on the organization. ``For us, it's business as usual,'' he said, adding that the group had not lost sight of its foremost mission.

 ``The foundation has the same goals and objectives as it has always had, which is freedom and democracy for the people of Cuba.'' But he did acknowledge that the
 foundation had undergone change to keep up with the times.

 ``That connotes some staff changes, but the foundation during this past year has taken significant steps,'' Mas Santos said. ``A lot of people said the Cuban exile
 community and the foundation were dead a little over a year ago after Elián González, but I think we're still powerful and making more noise than ever.''

 Disputes within the foundation are also fueled by generational and personality issues, tactical differences, and finger-pointing over the foundation's failure to stem growing demands by conservative Republicans that the U.S. embargo of Cuba be loosened or lifted, said legislators, experts and observers.

 At least a dozen foundation directors are expected to boycott the congress in San Juan. The resignations of Pérez Castellón and her husband triggered a rump meeting of several longtime directors Thursday night.

 ``Many of the directors will not be [at the congress],'' said one veteran director, a businessman who asked that his name not be used. ``A lot of the people who started with Jorge Mas Canosa in 1981 will not attend this meeting.''

 BROAD SUPPORT

 The director insisted that an outright split was not in the offing. ``We are not going to allow the foundation to be destroyed,'' he said. ``The Cuban American National
 Foundation will recover. None of the old directors have resigned and we will not resign, but there are going to be a series of changes.''

 Mas Santos said there were 153 directors -- including board members, trustees and associates -- and that between 25 percent and 40 percent of those were new, younger members. He said a majority supported him and he expected most of them to be at the conference in Puerto Rico.

 ``I'm looking forward to the congress. I have over 100 directors and friends of the foundation coming to approve all our plans for the upcoming year,'' said Mas Santos.

 Among them is Kirk Reagan Menéndez, 38, who said the foundation would survive any internal conflicts: ``The foundation is as strong today as it has always been.''

 Pérez Castellón could not be reached for comment Friday. Members of her family said she could be expected to explain her side of the story on her WQBA 1140 AM radio program, Ninoska a la Una, on Monday beginning at 1 p.m.

 The foundation faces a perception in Washington that its clout has lessened. Three Cuban-American lawmakers -- including Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln
 Díaz-Balart of Miami -- are forging identities independent of the foundation.

 DECLINE OF INFLUENCE

 The White House reportedly bears some resentment for what it sees as the foundation's less than full-hearted support in last year's presidential campaign as it hedged its bets in the close race.

 Critics also say the foundation has failed to corral dozens of disparate initiatives on Capitol Hill and ensure that a well-defined agenda is heeded.

 One legislative staff veteran, who requested anonymity, contrasted the foundation's current internal rifts with the discipline and vigor that Jorge Mas Canosa brought to his lobbying.

 ``He was very in-your-face. He didn't give quarter to anyone in pursuit of his objectives,'' the staffer said. ``Jorge Jr. has more of a soft touch, more of a diplomatic
 approach.''

 In recent years, as the foundation spread campaign money to Democrats as well as Republicans, reflecting the desire of Mas Santos to become more bipartisan, it lost the unconditional support of some conservative Republicans, who want to allow food exports to Cuba from America's heartland.

 ``The Republicans are no longer solidly behind them,'' the staffer said.

 Dennis Hays, a former U.S. diplomat hired recently as the foundation's executive vice president in Washington, said part of his mandate is to avoid further erosion of
 support.

 ``This idea of Cuba becoming an agricultural consumer [of U.S. grains] has great resonance out there. Some great damage has been done,'' he said.

 The only Cuban-American Democrat in the House, Rep. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, said he thinks Mas's bipartisan approach may help the foundation in the long run.

 ``The advocacy of Jorge Mas Jr. is much more effective,'' Menendez said.

 The cost has been high, though, straining relations between foundation leaders and the staffs of Díaz-Balart and Ros-Lehtinen, as various personalities jockey for
 recognition of actions to pressure Cuba.

 The foundation has been rife with discontent for about a year, since Mas Santos began making what many in the organization consider ``unilateral'' decisions on hiring, policy, expenditures and other activities.

 ``He just won't listen,'' said the longtime director.

 Mas's position on lobbying for the Latin Grammy Awards to be held in Miami did not sit well with many in the foundation, who oppose holding the Grammys in Miami because Cuban artists from the island may perform or be present to claim prizes.

 For many, the Grammy issue was the final straw, said former member Mario Miranda, Mas Canosa's bodyguard, who stayed by the late leader's side even when he fell ill, bringing him Holy Communion daily until the founder died in 1997.

 ``It is like a bucket has been filling with water and this last drop caused it to overflow,'' Miranda said.

 ``This is not the democratic organization that Jorge Mas Canosa intended it to be,'' he said, referring to Mas Santos.

                                    © 2001