September 14, 1996

Much of Bosnia has been devastated by war; main hope of an exhausted people is that fighting never resume; most Bosnians seem beyond caring about abstract goal, championed by United States, of creating common institutions that will unify Croats, Serbs and Muslims; to many, current de facto partition is an end to conflicts that have caused so much misery and grief; in addition to deep antipathy to war, there is also finger-pointing: Muslims, Croats and Serbs blame their opponents for the carnage; in this atmosphere, first elections in six years will be held on Sept 14; photos; map (M)

Politics in Tobacco Country A Kentucky Democrat running for Congress is bucking his party to support tobacco growers. Page 8. A Man's Torture Ends Argentina is paying an 85-year-old man damages 20 years after he was tortured and exiled. Page 6. President's Health The White House released doctor's statements about President Clinton's medical history. Page 9.

Republican Gov William F Weld of Massachusetts is being challenged for re-election by Sen John Kerry, Democrat; Weld is benefiting from his affable image and Kerry's serious demeanor, which turns off some voters; photos (M)

Suffolk County Executive Robert J Gaffney vetoes measure to make English the county's official language; Gaffney, a Republican, rejects 'message of intolerance'; this is latest sign that Northeast is resisting English-only movement spreading through much of country; New York Gov George E Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani have spoken out against measures to deny immigrants benefits or access to services in their own languages; bill, if approved, would have set up referendum for Suffolk County voters to decide whether to bar county from printing many forms in other languages; Patrick Buchanan and Gov Pete Wilson of California have championed English-only measures; Hispanic and Roman Catholic leaders, who had opposed bill, praise Gaffney; 6.6 percent of country's population is Hispanic (M)

In northern Iraq, Kurds who have worked for the American military since the Persian Gulf war are desperate to be evacuated. Page 3.