The official was identified by Shir-On as Cuba's deputy minister of fisheries. He was unable to specify the posts held by the others who came here from Havana.

The fact that relations between Cuba and Israel were severed more than 25 years ago evidently did not prevent the deputy minister and his colleagues from entering and staying here.

Shir-On could not confirm a report by an Israeli journalist who spoke to the Jerusalem Post on condition of anonymity that a Cuban delegation headed by Havana's deputy minister of housing arrived earlier this month.

This source contended that the deputy minister was accompanied by his assistant, as well as by a member of Cuba's Parliament and a fourth person whose status was unknown.

The journalist said the Cubans conferred with several Labor and Likud politicians and that the purpose of their trip was to establish a business relationship.