April 20, 1997

With Iran building up its military and being accused again of sponsoring terrorism, the United States is struggling to rethink its strategy in the Persian Gulf. Some military planners and diplomats worry that Saudi Arabia and Turkey, two of America's strongest allies in the region, may have become more vulnerable and less reliable. Meanwhile, Iran has greatly expanded its navy, and makes no secret of its hostility toward a matching American build-up.

Co-op boards and tenants' associations in some 3,000 New York City apartment buildings make emergency plans to provide key services as talks to avert strike by building workers continue; Service Employees International Union and landlord negotiators comment; chronology of events; tables; drawing (M)

Nearly 200 'art cars' from around nation are gathered in Houston for annual weekend extravaganza; some of highly decorated cars described; photos (M)

Some nursing homes, confused by Federal welfare cuts that will leave thousands of immigrants without Medicaid this fall, have begun to mistakenly deny admission to some elderly and sick legal immigrants who will not lose coverage; find it easier to refuse all legal immigrants than to figure out who will lose benefits; New York and at least 35 other states plan to continue benefits to poor legal immigrants who entered nation before Pres Clinton signed welfare law last Aug, but deny coverage for five years for most who arrived later; photo (L)

Natan Sharansky comments on crisis in Israel over charges that Prime Min Netanyahu named Roni Bar-On as Attorney General in Jan under pressure from governing coalition member Aryeh Deri, who hoped to evade corruption charges, interview; his reaction is being closely watched for signal on whether Netanyahu Government will fall; photo (M)