January 27, 1997

Article discusses growing popularity of Santeria, religion created several centuries ago by West Africans enslaved in colonial Cuba and imported to New York City more than forty years ago; growth in popularity is linked to religion becoming more public and more secular; photo (M)

Republicans, who have accused Pres Clinton and Democrats of giving large donors special access to White House, included in invitation to 1996 Republican National Convention offer of staff members to help with problems in Washington for donors of $250,000 or more; Republican fund-raisers focused on large corporations and individuals with interests pending in Congress and explicitly promised special rewards for big donors; at least 75 donors gave $250,000 or more; graph of top Republican corporate donors (M)

Lambertville, NJ, Police Director Al Varga announces crackdown on rude drivers (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Only a year ago, after the signing of the accord that ended the war in Bosnia, the Clinton Administration viewed the authoritarian leaders of Serbia and Croatia as the guarantors of the peace. Now, it has concluded that their days are numbered, quietly shifting policy and supporting political opponents in the search for a new generation of leaders. Article, page A3.

Worse winter blizzards in memory in North Dakota come at time when Housing and Urban Development Department has sharply cut aid to Indians to weatherize Federal housing; photo (M)