GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: A Cuban diplomat in suburban Maryland, outside Washington, says he is on a hunger strike, protesting an expulsion order. U.S. officials say they believe Jose Imperatori had links to an INS official accused of spying for Havana in Miami. Imperatori denies it. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us with the latest -- Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Gene, just a short time ago an administration official told us that at some point today Jose Imperatori will be escorted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to an airport where he will be departing the U.S. That official said that Imperatori was declared persona non grata on February 19. The official also said, quote, "The diplomat in question no longer enjoys diplomatic privileges and immunities conferred by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." Quote, "He is being expelled from the U.S. for not voluntarily departing by the appointed time." Just about two hours ago, Imperatori's attorney said it is his understanding that the FBI would come to Imperatori's Bethesda home, and that we would be escorted to an airport, flown to another city, and then on to Havana. The Cuban diplomat mass supposed to leave the U.S. by 1:30 this afternoon. He is believed to have links to an INS supervisor who was arrested and charged in Miami with spying for the Cuban government. But earlier today, Imperatori held a news conference at his home where he proclaimed his innocence and said that he would remain in the U.S. and that we would be begin a hunger strike. He also announced that he had resigned from his post at the Cuban Interest Section here in Washington. Imperatori and Cuban official here in Washington believe there is a link between his expulsion order and the case of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez, but a White House official says there is no connection whatsoever between these cases. Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting live from the White House.
Alleged Cuban Spy Continues to Resist Expulsion Order