June 3, 1993

The Economy Plans to push for a higher minimum wage have been delayed by the Clinton Administration because of worries about undermining job growth and antagonizing conservatives and business executives while the President's budget hangs in the balance. [ Page A1. ] The index of leading indicators edged up a puny tenth of a percent in April, and new-home sales surged. But analysts said the reports pointed to a continuation of a sluggish recovery. [ D1. ]

South Africa's highest appeals court today upheld Winnie Mandela's conviction for the kidnapping of four black youths, but said she would not go to prison for her role in a crime that opened deep wounds in the anti-apartheid movement. The appeals panel rejected the five-year jail term imposed by a lower court judge in favor of a fine, a payment to the victims, and a suspended sentence, saying the more lenient sentence would "achieve a measure of social justice and fit the crime."

Tunnel for Drugs Is Found Under U.S.-Mexico Border While searching for the killers of a Mexican cardinal, the police found an elaborate tunnel for smuggling cocaine into the United States, the largest such channel ever found. Page A5. Tables Turn in Guatemala When Guatemala's President seized power last week, his position seemed secure. But that was before the military switched sides. Page A3. Progress on Tariffs Seen Major industrial nations said they had made progress toward a breakthrough in the long effort to lower tariff barriers. Page D1. Newborn Is Found Dead A 17-year-old Long Island girl gave birth in her parents' bathroom and left the boy in the trash, where he was found dead, officials said. Page B1.

STRANGERS stop her on the street, wanting to know how she does her hair. They sidle up to her in restaurants or scurry over when she is filling her car with gasoline. "Elaine!" they say. "Is that you, Elaine?"

The major industrial nations said today that they were optimistic about soon reaching a breakthrough in their long, start-and-stop efforts to lower barriers to world trade. Finance and trade ministers from the United States and the other largest economic powers, meeting here, said that they expected by next month to reach broad agreement in amajor category of their negotiations -- eliminating or reducing tariffs on hundreds of products.