January 4, 1997

Pres Clinton, hoping to quell anger of major US allies, will indefinitely waive portion of Helms-Burton law that punishes foreign companies for using American property confiscated in Cuba under Castro regime; says he does not want furor in Canada, Mexico and Europe to jeopardize what he describes as emerging international effort to isolate Castro's Communist Government; decision suspends for another six months provision allowing US citizens or corporations to sue foreign company that uses confiscated property; Clinton indicates he will continue suspensions as long as allies press for democratic change in Cuba; recent European Union vote for better human rights record cited; Clinton's attempt at balance brings criticism both from Repr Dan Burton and Europeans who charge US tries to impose its foreign policy on other nations (M)

Victor Polay Campos, jailed founder of Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement in Peru, is son of leftist political reformers whose roots go back to labor struggles of 1930's; release of 45-year-old Polay and some 400 comrades is core demand of guerrillas holding dozens of hostages inside Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima; Polay's mother says Polay's vision is faltering and his spirits are nearly broken from imprisonment in 'living tomb,' small dark concrete box at naval base outside capital; interview; photos; she recalls that Polay founded Tupac Amaru in 1983, after returning from studies in Madrid and Paris; his roommate was Alan Garcia, future President who came out of left-wing anti-imperialist party started by Polay's father and others in 1930's; Garcia was elected in 1985, but administration was economic disaster that brought new support to Tupac Amaru and Shining Path guerrillas (M)

Inaugural festivities for Pres Clinton's second term will feature 'techno-future' theme of his 'bridge to the 21st century' campaign rhetoric; three-day celebration will include free tent show on National Mall in which musicians will perform and celebrities and intellectuals will conduct 'empowerment dialogues' with visitors; computers in one of seven heated tents will allow people to send messages to Clinton and Vice Pres Gore, to be shown on huge screen; other features for adults and children described (M)

Summary of major news stories on inside pages

Article on quite different Teaching methods at three New York City public schools where students perform well; children at Public School 31 in Greenpoint are drilled regularly in spelling and arithmetic in orderly atmosphere, students at Public School 234 in lower Manhattan call teachers by first names and lead class discussions, while third-graders at Public School 29 in South Bronx pretend school is the office where they learn reading and math on the job; photos; state Comr Richard P Mills and Chancellor Rudy Crew hope other principals will study such bright successes in otherwise dismal showing by city's schools; Deputy Chancellor Judith Rizzo says she is showcasing good schools at regular meetings of superintendents; high-achieving schools have strong principals who articulate clear vision, cohesive curriculum, extensive teacher training and active support from parents; Greenpoint principal Patricia Synan is firm believer in traditional academic discipline, and strongly opposes bilingual education; other principals also comment on their methods; list of city schools singled out for good test performances (M)