May 6, 1993

The Senate succumbed today to ethical bombardment by a Minnesota Democrat and voted to bare one of its most tightly held secrets: the size and worth of the gifts, free meals and other perks showered on its members by lobbyists. If the action survives a series of votes that lie ahead, as appears likely, lobbyists will be required next year to publicly report any benefits exceeding $20 -- in cash, valuables, trips or anything else -- that they give to senators or members of their staffs. Smaller gifts to a senator would still be disclosed if their total value exceeded $50 from any source in one year.

United States intelligence agencies have compelling evidence that China has shipped missile parts to Pakistan in violation of its pledge not to export such technology, Government officials said today. The classified reports seem to conflict with the official position that there is no proof China has broken its promise. The reports, which have begun to circulate in Congress and the Clinton Administration, could lead to a decision not to renew China's beneficial trade status.

Can the nation trust its secrets to its spies? That question underpins a fierce debate over a recently disclosed plan by the Clinton Administration to secure the privacy of the nation's phone calls and computer data with a standard set of computer codes.

The Clinton Administration, granting a wish long held by consumer groups and housing activists, has decided to begin the widespread use of undercover agents to test whether mortgage lenders are illegally discriminating among borrowers. Advocates of tough enforcement of the fair housing and lending laws have long called for the use of testers. But in the past, Federal banking authorities have resisted. Bankers strongly oppose the use of testers, calling the tool unreliable.

A doctor who was arrested and charged yesterday with fondling a patient in an Upper East Side medical office was permitted to practice medicine in New York State even though state regulators knew that he had been convicted of sexually assaulting a patient in New Jersey four months ago. Dr. Dennis Kleinman of Demarest, N.J., pleaded not guilty yesterday to a single count of sexual abuse at an arraignment in State Supreme Court in Manhattan. If he can post bail, state health officials said, he will remain free to practice medicine.