April 21, 1992

The abortion rights debate here reached a new level of tension and intensity today as abortion-rights supporters massed outside a major abortion clinic in the morning and anti-abortion organizers held an evening rally that drew more than 1,000 in a meeting of prayer and solidarity. The rally was the first major show of force here by Operation Rescue, which has vowed to close abortion clinics in the Buffalo area in what it is calling a Spring of Life campaign scheduled to last until May 2.

American Airlines announced yesterday that it was lowering full-coach and discount fares on many routes, in a calculated warning to weaker carriers that had undercut the simplified fare structure American announced less than two weeks ago. American also changed the advance purchase requirement for its 21-day fare to 14 days, a change that will take effect next Monday.

When Richard N. DeMerell arrives for work at the mall, he first removes the silver loop with the tiny skull that usually hangs from his earlobe and that definitely does not say "hi." Then he slips into the crisp white shirt of a mall security officer with the blue sergeant's stripes and the gold badge.

Afghan Rebel Chief Is Key As rebel troops mass around Kabul, much of the Afghan capital's fate lies in the hands of a soft-spoken guerrilla commander. Page A8. Limiting the Federal Courts The Supreme Court will decide whether to curb Federal court review of state convictions that may have been illegally obtained. Page A15. New Fare Cuts by American American Airlines announced that it was cutting full-coach and discount fares on many routes, putting pressure on weaker carriers. Page D1. World's Fair Opens in Seville A giant world's fair opened in Spain to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage to the Americas. Seville Journal, page A4.

Since his death in 1866, Chief Seattle has grown in fame and stature to a point where he has become a sort of Abraham Lincoln of American Indians, a gifted orator and visionary leader. This week, a book called "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message From Chief Seattle" is No. 5 on the New York Times best seller list for nonfiction. Also this week, as part of the official celebration of Earth Day on Wednesday, organizers have asked religious leaders from around the world to read a famous letter from Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce.