February 22, 1997

New studies by Federal and New York State scientists find that PCB's on shores and bottom of Hudson River are not being cleaned away by natural action, as some industrial polluters assert, and toxic compounds are evaporating from mud flats and wafting into air; separate Federal study finds PCB's in high concentrations in some birds; General Electric, responsible for much of contamination, has claimed it is safer to leave PCB's buried in mud, and criticizes new findings; PCB's were used for decades to insulate electrical equipment; photo of abandoned plant in Hudson Falls that was source of most of PCB's; map; EPA's three-volume report and Fish and Wildlife Survey's disturbing findings on birds reviewed (M)

Kenneth W Starr, in startling reversal, says he will not resign as Whitewater independent counsel to become law school dean at Pepperdine University until investigation is completed; reacts to angry criticism from staff and Republicans, saying he made serious error in judgment in setting departure deadline that could undermine investigation; consensus is that Starr has done considerable damage to investigation as it approaches critical phase; Pepperdine will hold two deanships open (S)

Article on parents' reaction to new television ratings system noted

Chinese-American businessman Johnny Chung, who has donated $391,000 to Democratic party since 1994 and visited White House at least 50 times, has used political connections to promote business ventures and impress foreign businessmen; window display at Beijing beer company even includes photo of smiling Pres and Mrs Clinton with two company executives and Chung; photo; Chung lawyer Brian A Sun says some of money for Chung's donations came from his profits in foreign ventures; interviews and records show that Chung, who enjoyed little success before taking on foreign partners, has used political access to cement deals and impress foreigners by squiring them to White House and fund-raisers, including $25,000-a-plate dinner at Steven Spielberg's home and Radio City birthday party for Clinton; White House documents show Clinton himself was concerned in April 1995 about circulating of photos; aide's memo cautions about 'hustler' (M)

Clinton Administration plans to certify Mexico as ally in drug war, despite shock over arrest of top anti-drug official on charges of colluding with traffickers; Gen Jesus Gutierrez Rebollo, new appointee welcomed in Washington only few weeks ago, allegedly collaborated with Amado Carrillo Fuentes, whose syndicate has smuggled tons of cocaine, heroin and marijuana across US border; some US officials want review of certification, but others in Administration say Gutierrez arrest shows Pres Ernesto Zedillo's commitment to drug war; Colombia is likely to be decertified for second year (M)