MIAMI (AP) -- Two of Elian Gonzalez's great-uncles, who are among
                  those fighting to keep the boy from being returned to his father in Cuba,
                  have been convicted of driving under the influence at least twice in the
                  past decade.

                  State records show Lazaro Gonzalez, 49, with whom Elian has been living
                  in Miami, was found guilty of driving under the influence at least twice from
                  1991 to 1997. His license has been revoked or suspended at times, records
                  show.

                  Records show his 62-year-old brother, Delfin Gonzalez, also has been
                  found guilty at least twice of driving under the influence. Delfin Gonzalez lives
                  in Marathon but has been residing at his brother's home.

                  The convictions may make it more difficult for Elian's relatives in Miami to
                  argue that they can offer Elian a better life than his father in Cuba, experts on
                  child custody law said.

                  Spencer Eig, an attorney representing Lazaro Gonzalez in his effort to keep
                  Elian from being returned to Cuba, told The New York Times in a story
                  published Wednesday that the great-uncles' driving convictions are less
                  troubling than comments by one of Elian's grandmothers.

                  In a recent interview on Cuban television, Elian's paternal grandmother,
                  Mariela Quintana, said she had "played jokes" with the boy during a meeting
                  January 26 at the home of a Roman Catholic nun in Florida.

                  Quintana said she bit Elian's tongue to get him to talk and unzipped his pants.

                   Copyright 2000 The Associated Press.