THE US Defence Secretary, Mr William Perry, said he did not expect any military conflict in the Florida Straits today, when Cuban exiles conduct a memorial ceremony for four colleagues shot gown by Cuban fighter jets.
But Mr Perry said warships band fighter jets would be on routine alert in case they were called on by the US Coast Guard, which will watch over the demonstration in international waters.
"We do not expect a military conflict to break out", he said in response to questions.
"We have talked to representatives of both sides (the Havana government and Cuban refugees in Florida) and we believe that both sides are interested in this being a peaceful demonstration.
Havana will act with restraint when the exile flotilla demonstrates off Cuban waters, taking, into account measures ordered by President Clinton, the Cuban Foreign Minister, Mr Roberto Robaina Gonzalez, said at the UN.
"To correspond with the measures that have been announced from President Clinton's office, my country will act with the utmost restraint to avoid new incidents", he told reporters. "My country has no intention to promote an escalation promoted by the Cuban American right wing."
He was speaking after seeking support from the chairmen of several UN regional groups for a resumed session of the General Assembly, following the shooting down by Cuban MiGs last Saturday of two light aircraft flown by Miami based Cuban exiles.
Exiles plan to sail to the spot off Cuba where the unarmed Cessna aircraft were shot down and to drop wreaths into the water in tribute.
The White House announced on Thursday that the Coast Guard would deter any intervention by Cuban forces, but would also ensure that the exiles did not violate Cuban territorial waters or air space.
"We never expected to be shot from the back. It has been an act of assassination on the high seas on air planes under the United States flag, flown by young men born in the United States" an exiles spokesman asserted.