March 24, 1997

Special report, Bribery on the Border, finds corruption of law-enforcement officials, at local and Federal levels has become corrosive byproduct of vast river of narcotics that pours into US across 2,012-mile border with Mexico; at least 46 Federal, state and local law enforcement officials have been indicted on or convicted of drug-related corruption charges in last three years in border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; number, which includes only cases in which drugs are transported across border by land, represents only small part of problem, since corruption often involves passively allowing smugglers to operate, making it extremely difficult to detect and even tougher to prosecute; Federal law enforcement officials openly concede they fear problem will grow worse as dealers have become more brazen and volume and value of drugs moving across border have skyrocketed; large-scale drug trafficking has continued, despite vows by successive US Administrations to stop it; traffickers, responding to US interdiction efforts in mid-1980's, shifted routes from Florida to Mexico, increasing reliance on Southwest border as transit point; Customs Service reports at five border crossings in California-Mexico border, marijuana seizures increased to 3,518 in 1996 from 2,490 in 1995--or more than 272,000 pounds of marijuana seized in 1996; photos; map; charts (L)

Metro Matters column discusses new New York City teachers' contract that was negotiated a year and a half ago; says it contains provision that exempts teachers from administrative duties such as lunchroom duty, hallway monitors and presiding over homerooms (M)

China Draws Big Gain In Foreign Investment China now attracts more than a third of all the investment in factories and other manufacturing operations in developing nations, drawing more than $42 billion last year, according to a World Bank study. The study also offered strong evidence that Mexico is recovering from its financial crisis, which some though could ricochet through other economies. Over all, capital flows into emerging markets surged. $(Page D2.$)

Israeli Government demands that Palestinian Authority take measures against further acts of terrorism, but stops short of threatening to halt peace negotiations; statement is accompanied by blitz of public declarations from Prime Min Benjamin Netanyahu and security chiefs, who charge Palestinian leaders with giving indirect support for terror attacks and to street violence; Palestinian officials angrily reject accusations; violence continues in Hebron, where Palestinian youths pelt Israelis with stones; Palestinian policemen succeed in restraining protestors; Israeli security forces maintain high alert against possibility of another terrorist strike by Palestinian militants, following March 21 suicide bombing of Tel Aviv cafe, in which three women were killed (M)

Four candidates, including incumbent Mayor Bret Schundler, have submitted enough signatures from registered voters to qualify for May 13 Jersey City mayoral ballot (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)