February 16, 1991

In a report hinting that the economy's decline may be bottoming out, the Government said today that industrial output fell much less in January than in the two months before. Output was down four-tenths of 1 percent last month after declines averaging three times that much in November and December.

In a leap forward in the search for a cause of Alzheimer's disease, researchers have discovered that a pinpoint mutation in a single gene can cause this progressive neurological illness. The discovery, by Dr. John Hardy of St. Mary's Hospital in London and his colleagues, is the first genetic cause for Alzheimer's disease that has been found. Although there are likely to be others that can cause the disease, the discovery of this gene will allow investigators to narrow their search for causes and treatments for the disease.

South African Accord The African National Congress has agreed to stop infiltration into South Africa in return for the right to engage in nonviolent protest. Page 3. U.S. Criticizes Israeli Envoy The White House criticized the Israeli Ambassador for his public complaints about United States economic aid. Page 3. Measles, Death and Faith Five Philadelphia children have died of measles, all from families whose churches preach reliance on prayer instead of medical care. Page 12. Acclaim and Unemployment As "Awakenings" brings Dr. Oliver Sacks fame outside medicine and he gains respect within it, budget cuts have cost him his job. Page 29. John McCone Dies at 89 The leader of the Central Intelligence Agency during the Cuban missile crisis died in California. Page 15.

In his first, rather cautious response to the drought gripping California, the state's new Governor today called on all communities to cut their water use by half, created a "water bank" to transfer water to the neediest areas and asked the Legislature to establish a $100 million drought fund. But the Governor, Pete Wilson, stopped short of invoking emergency powers to take sterner measures, saying he preferred to allow the local authorities to act first.

Iraq said for the first time today that it was prepared to discuss compliance with a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for its withdrawal from Kuwait if numerous conditions of its own were met. But President Bush rejected the offer as a "cruel hoax" and urged Iraq's military leaders and civilian population to "take matters into their own hands" and force Saddam Hussein from power. The statement from the ruling Revolutionary Command Council, normally headed by Mr. Hussein, was read over the Baghdad radio and was welcomed by the Soviet Union, which was simultaneously stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the war.