HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters) -- Senior Cuban and U.S. officials will meet in Havana
                  next week for a day of talks on the thorny issue of illegal migration from the
                  communist-ruled Caribbean island, authorities said on Thursday.

                  A statement from Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon, also
                  Havana's point man on U.S. affairs, said the latest talks, the highest-level regular
                  contact between the politically estranged nations, would be on Monday.

                  The talks have been taking place for five years to monitor the implementation of
                  migration accords intended to stem the uncontrolled flow of Cuban "boat people"
                  to the United States, such as during the so-called "Raft Crisis" of 1994.

                  The last talks, in New York in September, came after the end of the saga over
                  shipwreck survivor Elian Gonzalez, a 7-year-old boy picked up at sea off Florida.
                  Following a seven-month custody dispute, Elian returned home to Cuba on June
                  28.

                  Havana blames U.S. migration policy for the problem, saying the 1966 Cuban
                  Adjustment Act, which gives privileged treatment to Cubans seeking U.S.
                  residence, is the reason people keep making the perilous trip to Florida.

                  U.S. officials say Cubans want to leave because they are dissatisfied with the
                  economic failings and authoritarian political system of President Fidel Castro.
                  They also accuse Havana of rigidly restricting legal exits from the island.

                  After the previous round of talks, Cuba said "absolutely nothing" had been
                  achieved.

                     Copyright 2000 Reuters.