LOS ANGELES, 18 (AP) - Even during a night of celebration, Gloria Estefan and Andy Garcia couldn't put the plight of 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez, caught in a tug-of-war between the United States and their native Cuba, out of their minds.

``All I do is pray for that boy and his family,'' Ms. Estefan said Monday night backstage at the American Music Awards, where she received an Award of Merit. ``Every time I see his little face I feel he's in a tough spot ... I don't think anybody wins in this issue.''

Elian was rescued at sea Nov. 25 after his mother drowned trying to reach the United States on a raft. U.S. immigration authorities have ruled the boy must be returned to his father in Cuba. The boy's relatives in Miami are fighting a federal court battle to keep him.

``It's a great tragedy,'' said Garcia, also a native Cuban and a presenter at the awards show. ``It's become such a politicized situation. The great tragedy is that you have to get on a raft.''

AP-NY-01-18-00 1525EST

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press

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