August 18, 1983

International The Export-Import Bank has approved loan guarantees of up to $1.5 billion for Brazil and $500 million for Mexico. The package for Brazil is the largest ever cleared by the agency. Though both are subject to Congressional review, Congress has not rejected such guarantees in the past, partly because they can be used only to finance the sale of American products. (Page A1.) The White House called for another review of the pluses and minuses of easing controls on the exports of oil equipment to Moscow. The move has intensified a bitter policy dispute between Secretary of State George P. Shultz, who favors such an easing, and Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, who opposes it. (D1.)

In late July, 24-year-old Yoshihisa Kondo joined an elite group. In the twice-yearly design competition sponsored by So-en magazine, a leading fashion monthly, his design for a flowing cotton skirt and cape won first prize. Now in its 27th year, the So-en contest is widely regarded as the Japanese fashion world's most prestigious talent-spotting event. Kansai Yamamoto, Junko Koshino, Yohji Yamamoto and Kenzo Takada are all previous So-en winners.

International An American-French dispute worsened as the Reagan Administration rejected comments by President Francois Mitterrand criticizing American actions on Chad. Mr. Mitterrand was reported Tuesday to have expressed irritation at American pressure on France to intervene militarily in Chad against Libyan incursions. He was also said to be unhappy at not being consulted at the dispatch to the area of two Awacs surveillance planes. (Page A1, Col. 6.) Libyan military supplies are being poured into a northern Chadian town captured by rebels, according to Western diplomats. (A3:4-6.)

For most people the mention of a swimming pool conjures up a familiar picture: a rectangular or kidney-shaped body of bright blue water surrounded by a small patio of sand-colored cement. For many architects, however, thoughts of swimming pools bring to mind something a bit more exotic: a Mediterranean grotto or a shimmering rock-pool set amid a carpet of thick vegetation. ''The design of pools has changed considerably over the past five years,'' said the architect Chad Floyd. ''Rather than simply dropping a pool in the corner of a backyard, architects are relating more to the geometry of the nearby house and to the landscape.'' Mr. Floyd is one of seven partners in the Essex, Conn., firm of Moore Grover Harper, an architectural practice that designs many residences each year, and, as a result, a good many swimming pools. ''More clients have been asking for pools lately,'' observed Mark Simon, another architect.

The Export-Import Bank, concerned about the reluctance of commercial banks to continue lending to Latin America, has given initial approval to loan guarantees of up to $1.5 billion for Brazil and $500 million for Mexico. The guarantee for Brazil is the largest single package ever proposed by the bank, a Government agency that promotes the sale of domestic products abroad by extending financial incentives to purchasers. The guarantee for Mexico follows two separate $100 million guarantees earlier this year. Review by Congress Because the guarantees are for more then $100 million, they have to be submitted to Congress for review. In the past, Congress has not rejected such requests, partly because the guarantees can only be used to finance the sale of United States products.