CHERRY GARCIA DIPLOMACY

Monday March 29, 1999 12:00 AM EST

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Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy wants to help thaw relations between the U.S. and Cuba with ice cream -- Ben & Jerry's, in particular. Leahy, in Cuba for a week-long visit, said he discussed human rights, health care and Kosovo with Cuban President Fidel Castro on Sunday. The two also hotly debated which country's ice cream was better. "Now my major diplomatic effort will be to get ahold of Ben Cohen and figure out how they can send down a case of Ben & Jerry's," Leahy said, referring to the Vermont-based company's co-founder. The company is said to be looking into what is Fidel's favorite flavor.