March 22, 1997

Analysis of US-Russian relationship in light of Helsinki summit between Pres Clinton and Pres Yeltsin; Yeltsin, who only months ago was an enfeebled leader, now looks and acts confident and in charge, to relief of American officials; they say Yeltsin did Clinton a big favor, not just by repaying past loyalties, but by looking past awkwardness and embarrassment of NATO expansion to put down a bet on Russia's future; Yeltsin's new confidence remains to be tested when he faces questioning by Russian Parliament (M)

President Mobutu returned but did not appear in public, causing speculation about his health. Washington is sending up to 250 troops to prepare for a possible American evacuation. Articles, page 7.

Pres Clinton and Pres Boris N Yeltsin agree to differ over NATO expansion but formally determine that Russia will negotiate its own partnership agreement with military alliance that would be signed before NATO begins adding members in July; two leaders end their two-day summit meeting in Helsinki with statements and joint news conference intended to demonstrate strength of their cooperation; also report making several breakthroughs in arms control; Clinton calls for stronger role for Russia when it joins seven major industrial powers convening this summer in Denver, referring to its meeting with Group of Seven as 'summit of eight'; photos (L)

Blast touched off by suicide bomber rips through crowded Tel Aviv cafe, killing bomber and three other people, wounding dozens and striking new blow at tottering Israeli-Palestinian peace; bomber is is not identified, but there are unconfirmed reports he is Palestinian from near Hebron; bombing breaks yearlong lull in suicide attacks; Prime Min Benjamin Netanyahu puts blame for bombing squarely on Yasir Arafat and his Palestinian Authority; Arafat spokesman rejects charge; photos (L)

Republican-led House approves measure to pay for its investigation into questionable Democratic campaign fund-raising practices; vote $3.8 million for campaign-finance operation and $7.9 million for special reserve fund that could be used for that inquiry or other House investigations; Democrats denounce inquiry as unfair and partisan because it focuses only on questionable fund-raising practices by Democrats and Pres Clinton (M)