BY OSCAR CORRAL

  Congressional candidates Annie Betancourt and Mario Díaz-Balart aired their differences over U.S. policy toward Cuba and other issues in a face-to-face
  exchange Monday.

  Both candidates are state representatives vying for the newly created U.S. House District 25 seat, which includes much of West Miami-Dade County and
  stretches across the Everglades to Collier County. They were responding to questions from The Herald's editorial board.

  Betancourt, a Democrat, said the current trickle of business between Cuba and U.S. agricultural companies is ''irreversible'' and said she ''sees coming''
  the day when U.S. citizens can travel freely to the island.

  ''We need a voice, not an echo, in South Florida,'' Betancourt said, alluding to Díaz-Balart's close relationship to his older brother, U.S. Rep. Lincoln
  Díaz-Balart. ``It would be easier if I had a brother, but I don't.''

  Díaz-Balart, a Republican, said he would not support doing business with a ''terrorist'' nation, and favors curtailing or prohibiting cash remittances to the
  island to squeeze Fidel Castro.

  ''The final end is ending international terrorism,'' Díaz-Balart said.

  Betancourt ignited a debate with Díaz-Balart last week when she issued a strong critique of U.S. policy toward Cuba, saying it has ``failed massively.''

  U.S.-Cuba policy experts have called the debate on the issue unprecedented, because it pits two Cuban-American candidates from major parties against
  each other on what traditionally is a politically taboo topic of discussion in Miami.

  Díaz-Balart said national security and the war on terrorism would be the most important issues to him if he were elected. Betancourt said she would
  focus on improving education and the economy, issues she says are of greatest concern to District 25 constituents.

  ''I am more grounded,'' Betancourt said after the meeting. ``I'm a listener.''

  The candidates also differ on the United States possibly going to war with Iraq. Betancourt said she is not fully convinced that military action is needed,
  and said she would want more evidence that Saddam Hussein has compiled weapons of mass destruction.

  Díaz-Balart said he hoped war can be avoided, but that he supports military action.

  ''I don't think we should wait until Saddam is ready,'' Díaz-Balart said.