January 3, 1997

FAA has failed to meet commitments to increase number of air traffic controllers in New York region, raising concerns among lawmakers and union officials who warn controllers are being overworked; increase in manpower from 303 positions to 314 was authorized almost two years ago, but number has actually declined, to 281 working controllers, because of problems finding workers qualified enough for busy center in Ronkonkoma, Long Island; 51 of these employees are trainees; shortage intensifies as FAA, under congressional order, authorizes 335 positions; center is so busy that it can take years longer than elsewhere to train newcomers completely; photo; union official Christopher S Boughn and John Walker of FAA comment (M)

New Jersey Citizen Action reports that State Atty Gen has taken 'crucial first step' toward requiring Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey to turn over millions of dollars to charitable trust before it merges with private insurance company based in Indianapolis (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

Nearly 300 companies that improperly dumped hazardous waste at Superfund site in Camden County agree to pay $30 million to complete cleanup of landfill (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

US mediator Dennis Ross fails again to conclude agreement on partial Israeli pullback in Hebron, as Palestinians dig in on demands for deadlines and guarantees of further withdrawals; map; Yasir Arafat's position may have hardened following incident in which Israeli soldier with history of mental problems opened fire in Hebron market; Israeli police detain second soldier, Yuval Jibli, for allegedly knowing about Noam Friedman's intention and failing to report it; 22-year-old Friedman, Orthodox Jew from West Bank settlement, is remanded for ten days; he tells court he regrets not killing any Arabs, objects to 'secular' court and female judge and says he acted to prevent 'surrender' of Hebron; major question is why he was drafted and given weapon, considering his mental history (M)

Newt Gingrich's re-election as House Speaker appears threatened, with 27 Republicans now saying they are unwilling to offer support because of ethics cloud; Gingrich and supporters scramble to rally rank-and-file and calm deserters by minimizing importance of ethics violations he has admitted; violations relate to use of tax-exempt funds for partisan purposes; photo; leadership suggests that ethics subcommittee will advise only reprimand, not censure; committee counsel James M Cole flatly denies that report (S)