News In Brief

The US

Both the White House and congressional Republicans say they are looking for a compromise on spending-cuts legislation after President Clinton vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would have sliced $16.4 billion from this year's budget. Republicans say they would rewrite the bill rather than try to override the veto. Clinton says he wants funding restored for some education and training programs. But the House Appropriations Committee chairman said if Clinton demands too much money be restored, the bill would loose Republican support.

The governor of Arkansas, Jim Guy Tucker, and an associate were indicted by the Whitewater grand jury on charges of obtaining $300,000 in Small Business Administration loans under false pretenses. Tucker was indicted along with William Marks, his partner in a Florida cable-TV venture. The two men and Tucker's personal lawyer also were charged with conspiring to conceal the cable venture's true value from the IRS. The indictment does not involve Clinton or his former business partner James McDougal.

The Senate approved an anti-terrorism bill by a vote of 91-8, and now Clinton and Republicans are urging the House to follow suit. The $2 billion package includes provisions sought by Clinton to enlarge federal law-enforcement agencies and the government's wire-tapping authority, and to allow use of the military in emergencies involving chemical and biological weapons. The bill would also limit most death-row inmates to one appeal.

The House was expected to vote yesterday on a major bill to cut foreign aid after narrowly rejecting an effort by conservative Republicans to repeal the War Powers Act and give the president power to bypass Congress when he sends American troops into combat. The overall legislation would cut foreign aid by $3 billion over three years and dismantle aid, arms control, and information agencies.

China threatened that economic and trade relations with the US will be affected due to Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui's four-day historic visit to the US. China, which claims Taiwan as its own, warned that the visit damages US-Chinese relations. (Story, Page 6).

A federal commission recommended that Congress curtail immigration to the US by one-third and deny entrance to unskilled workers because there are few job opportunities. A White House spokesman predicted Clinton would favor the proposal, but it may face strong opposition by House majority leader Armey. The US Commission on Immigration's interim recommendations would permit about 700,000 people a year to immigrate, down from roughly 1 million who currently enter the US.

A constitutional amendment giving states and Congress authority to ban desecration of the American flag was sent to the House for debate, after the House Judiciary Committee approved the amendment on a party-line vote. It would override a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that threw out state laws prohibiting flag burning and other acts of desecration, saying they violated First Amendment guarantees of freedom of expression. (Story, Page 3.)

Republicans hoping Gen. Colin Powell will enter the 1996 presidential race launched a petition drive to demonstrate the support he has in New Hampshire. Powell is not even a registered Republican, but organizers of the "Draft Powell" movement contend he is more popular in New Hampshire than the GOP's announced candidates are.

US foreign investment jumped 80 percent last year as many overseas economies strengthened and the US expansion enhanced profits. Although it was the second consecutive sharp increase, the advance was held back by reduced investments from Japan.

The man shot by the Secret Service agent after climbing the White House fence has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Leland William Modjeski was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of a firearm and three counts of assaulting a federal officer. The maximum penalty on each of the charges is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The US will sign formal "open skies" agreements liberalizing air travel with nine European countries in the next few weeks, said Transportation Secretary Pena.

The World

Capt. Scott O'Grady, the US pilot rescued in Bosnia by a Marine assault team, was in good shape and "used guts and training" to evade Serb hands for six days in Bosnia's war zone, his military commanders said. He did not use his radio until he found a location suitable for rescue. US envoy Robert Frasure returned to Washington after failing again to persuade Serbian President Milosevic to recognize Bosnia in return for suspension of UN sanctions. US assault troops on warships in the Adriatic were ready if asked to rescue small groups of UN peacekeepers, US Defense Secretary Perry said. But he also told Congress that this is a contingency he hopes can be avoided. (Story, Page 1.)

US Secretary of State Christopher, in an uncharacteristically optimist note, cited "real momentum" in the Middle East peace process as he started a shuttle trip in the area. Syria responded with a promise to cooperate. Christopher meets Syrian President Assad in Damascus Saturday and today he meets in Cairo with Egyptian President Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Rabin. Israeli and PLO teams finished work on transferring responsibilities for labor issues to the Palestinians, and the Israeli army dismantled a military base in the West Bank, the first move in its pullback from Palestinian cities.

US and North Korean negotiators began drafting an agreement to replace the communist nation's suspect nuclear reactor with two South Korean models. This step of solid progress was possible after both sides made concessions. Japan and South Korea must approve any final pact because they are paying for much of the new technology. President Clinton phoned South Korean President Kim Young Sam to urge acceptance of the latest details.

NAFTA's founding members said they would admit Chile as a full member, extending the trade bloc's reach into Latin America as early as the end of this year. Talks on the details will take up to six months. NAFTA's goal is to eliminate trade barriers between participants gradually over a 10-year period.

Asian nations that suffered under Japan's ruthless World War II expansionism are less than pleased with a resolution of remorse Japan's parliament is schedule to adopt next week. The absence of a direct apology is the big problem, and comments from China, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea indicated the resolution could actually spark more anti-Japanese feelings. Many ex-allied POWs from the Asian fighting remain bitter over brutal treatment by the Japanese and decry a lack of an outright apology.

South African President Mandela and his political opponent, Zulu Chief Buthelezi, made conciliatory moves in an effort to ease tensions in the Zulu heartland, where daily political killings have gone on since elections in April 1994. Mandela sat through 90 minutes of criticism in parliament over shoot-to-kill instructions he had given last year to ANC guards protecting the party's headquarters in Johannesburg. (Story, Page 7.)

Mexican President Zedillo said no one in his nation is above the law, and he pledged to pursue to the highest levels investigations into the assassination last year of Luis Donaldo Colosio, the leading presidential candidate. In his first-ever press conference, Zedillo said he could not confirm press reports that former President Salinas might have ordered the killing. Salinas fled Mexico this year and now lives in the US.

Only 1 in 9 members of the world's parliaments are women, ranging from none in some Muslim countries to nearly half in Sweden, UNICEF said in its annual report on the well-being of children and women. Only 62 governments have women in their cabinets.

Britain's High Court upheld a government ban on gays serving in the military. At least 12 European nations do permit homosexuals in their armed forces.

Iran tried but failed to stabilize its currency, which has fallen steeply since Clinton announced a US embargo because of Iran's sponsorship of terrorism.

Etcetera

A California boy won $16,000 and 15 minutes of fame when he defeated more than 10,000 entrants in a contest to find the next Andy Warhol. The nine-month "Art of Soup" contest was sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company, whose trademark red and white soup can Warhol turned into a landmark work 33 years ago. Matthew Balestrieri did an Egyptian-style painting from the tomb of "Isip Soop."

Three years ago, Del Lorton gave up breeding hogs and invested $35,000 in something taller, swifter, and meaner - ostriches. Lorton is not the only one: The American Ostrich Association has 3,793 members, up from 480 in 1989.

"Pocahontas" arrives tomorrow in New York's Central Park, where 100,000 people are expected to view the world premiere of the Disney animated film. Hundreds of workers are building a "medium-size town" for the event, which is being compared to the 1969 Woodstock festival.

WTA Money Leaders

(Top money makers in the Women's Tennis Association, Jan. 1, 1995 through May 27, 1995)

1. Conchita Martinez $627,628

2. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario $595,192

3. Steffi Graf $442,500

4. Mary Pierce $403,006

5. Kimiko Date $316,975

6. Natasha Zvereva $314,662

7. Magdalena Maleeva $272,605

8. Jana Novotna $245,011

9. Lindsay Davenport $239,853

10. Gabriela Sabatini $216,152

- Associated Press

"I cannot in good conscience sign a bill that cuts education to save pet congressional projects. That is old politics. It is wrong."

- President Clinton before vetoing the $16.4 billion spending-cuts bill

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