May 25, 1992

China's economic revolution may be dotting the countryside with new factories and electricity plants, but it may also be having an unintended effect: its contribution to global warming may be rising more quickly than that of any other major country. Most countries have become increasingly aware that warming of the earth could cause climate changes and rising sea levels. Even the United States, which many scientists say contributes more to the greenhouse effect than any other country, is considering curbs on gases thought to cause global warming. The Centrality of Coal But here there is little awareness of the problem. China burns increasing amounts of coal and is expected to surpass the United States and the former Soviet Union to become the single greatest contributor of greenhouse gases in coming decades.

The Bush Administration is promoting enterprise zones as the centerpiece of its plan to revive the nation's inner cities, but the more than 600 zones that have sprouted under state programs have made only a slight dent in urban blight. Still, after a decade of criticizing the White House for neglecting the cities, many state and local officials and urban experts applaud the Administration's proposal, saying every little bit will help. They see a Federal enterprise zone program not as a panacea but as a catalyst, or perhaps a nucleus to build around.

Columbia University's 238th year may have ended officially earlier this month with a regal commencement graced by the presence of Katharine Hepburn. But it was clear from the fliers that students handed out near Delacorte Gate on 116th Street afterwards that the troubles that rocked the university this year are far from over. "Do you know where your money goes?" read the flier given to proud parents and future alumni donors still in their caps and gowns. It stated that after increasing President Michael I. Sovern's salary and benefits to over $400,000, and stenciling the foyers of faculty housing in gold, Columbia's administration "had the audacity" to limit student financial aid and make other cuts to help close a $50 million budget shortfall.

Competing for U.N. Agencies Four United Nations agencies are considering offers to move out of New York City -- three to Germany -- and City Hall has mounted a major counteroffensive, officials said. Page 21. New President for Austria A former Ambassador to the United States will succeed President Kurt Waldheim, ushering in a new era after years of diplomatic isolation under the former U.N. chief. Page 3.

The White House significantly toughened its efforts today to discourage a flood of Haitian refugees to the United States, saying it had authorized the Coast Guard to halt all boats carrying the refugees from their homeland and to escort them back to Haiti. The decision, issued in the form of an executive order by President Bush, departs from a policy adopted only on Thursday to stop picking up Haitians from boats unless the vessels were in imminent danger of sinking.