Court Backs Montana on Abortion

The Supreme Court today set aside a ruling against a Montana state law that barred physicians' assistants from performing abortions. At issue was a U.S. appeals court ruling that a federal judge in Montana had erred in assuming the law had the legitimate function of protecting women's health and had a purpose other than making abortions more difficult to obtain. The high court, by a 6-3 vote, set aside the appeals court ruling and sent the case back for more proceedings.

Clinton Watches Tobacco Talks

This is a key week in negotiations between the tobacco industry and state officials trying to settle the huge claims looming against cigarette makers. A presidential spokesman says the White House is monitoring the talks on an almost daily basis. This week's talks are considered crucial because Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore, a key player in the negotiations, must leave soon to prepare for a trial against the tobacco industry starting early next month.

Treasury's Clout Growing

As President Clinton prepares to host this week his fellow leaders of the industrial world at the G7 summit in Denver, Treasury Department officials are playing increasingly important roles in areas once reserved for the State Department and the Pentagon. In April, Robert Rubin became the first Treasury Secretary to visit Vietnam, where he signed a debt deal and reviewed the status of Americans missing in action. Also in April, Rubin's deputy, Lawrence Summers, told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about the economic benefits of enlarging NATO. Administration officials say Clinton's intent to raise the role of economics in foreign policy has benefited Treasury.

US Pursuing Gulf Illness

Defense Secretary William Cohen says he will pursue all possible links between biological weapons and the health problems of thousands of American veterans of the Gulf War. Cohen made his comment one day after The New York Times said a congressional report concluded that Iraqi chemical weapons may be to blame for what's come to be known as Gulf War syndrome. The report by the General Accounting Office was harshly critical of a White House panel and the Pentagon for discounting any connection between the health problems and biological agents.

No Defense-Purchase Linkage Seen

Defense Secretary William Cohen says the United Arab Emirates isn't linking its demand to amend a defense pact with its planned purchase of up to 80 warplanes worth some $6 billion. But a Gulf Arab official source says Abu Dhabi is "indirectly" linking its request to amend the 1994 defense pact with Washington to the purchase and also is keen to see a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process. F-16s are high on the list for the UAE requirement. Cohen is in the Middle East today.

GOP-Clinton Clash on Taxes Looms

Republicans appear to be heading for a new confrontation with the White House over tax cuts in the budget. Clinton, buoyed by a strong economy, seems to be in no mood for compromise. He's said he won't accept the Republican bills coming out of tax committees of Congress. So far, neither he nor anyone else at the White House has uttered the word "veto," which might even revive the possibility of another government shutdown in the autumn if spending bills are not passed in time.

New York Rent Control Saved

New York's rent-control regulations were saved from extinction today as state lawmakers hammered out a deal in last-minute negotiations. The three key players involved -- Gov. George Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver -- met a "conceptual agreement," scrapping plans for a 30-day extension of the laws, which govern 1.2 million apartments and 2.7 million New Yorkers, primarily in New York City. The rent laws, in force for 50 years, set limits on what landlords can charge tenants in pre-World War II buildings.

Holbrooke Pressures Swiss

U.S. diplomat-cum-banker Richard Holbrooke is prodding Switzerland to begin paying funds to Holocaust survivors now to help resolve the rift in Swiss-American relations. Holbrooke urged Swiss officials not to become mired in a debate over historical details and instead to get money flowing to victims. Holbrooke, speaking to the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, noted the average age of the 400,000 Holocaust survivors is 79.

Hanoi to Return Papers to Expert

Vietnamese officials researching the effect of Agent Orange, the defoliant sprayed by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, say they will return papers seized from a U.S. scientist at Hanoi airport in 1995. The offer to return the papers to Arnold Schecter of the State University of New York and resume collaboration on research into the effects of dioxin, a chemical in Agent Orange, comes ahead of a conference in Hanoi to examine possible lessons from the war. Former defense secretary Robert MacNamara and about 50 researchers and historians will attend the June 20-23 meeting.

US: Compatibility Defense Key

Defense Secretary William Cohen told Kuwait it should give importance to compatibility when buying arms. Diplomatic and industry sources have told Reuters they expect Kuwait's key Western allies to prod the Gulf Arab state to reverse a decision to buy guns from China. There's been no formal word on the deal, but the sources say a Kuwaiti military committee has picked the Chinese to equip a battalion with 18 howitzers. Since it was freed from Iraqi occupation, Kuwait has had a policy of awarding key weapons contracts to the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

< Back > < Contents >  < Home >