May 20, 1997

Article, Fragile Giant, examines some aspects of Zaire's troubled legacy, and prospects for its future following ouster of Pres Mobutu Sese Seko by Zairian rebels; many Zairians who survived three-decade dictatorship are looking forward to new phase, even as they look back at squandered decades and wasted lives under corrupt dictatorship; even though country has chance to remake itself, it faces daunting obstacles; its 47 million people live in far grimmer conditions than four decades ago, when it was Belgian colony brimming with optimism; Zairians are among poorest people in world, with average income of just $150 per year, even though country is about as rich in resources as any nation in world; country's failures are emblematic of group of nations in Africa that have been disasters for inhabitants since winning independence; decline has not only been economic, since family unit has been torn at seams; majority of children cannot graduate from elementary school, compared with colonial times when Zaire had one of highest school attendance rates in Africa; many illiterate young people are members of lost generation that will impose burden on country for half century to come; demise of once-prosperous Funidi family described; photos; map (L)

Social service commissioners from New York City and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, who oversee programs for nearly 80 percent of New York State's poor send sharply worded letter to Gov George E Pataki, criticizing elements of his welfare plan; say it will shift burden of caring for poor from state to local governments that can ill afford expense, and that money it would provide for day care is insufficient; say proposed voucher system for food, shelter and clothing would turn into administrative burden, and that limits on some cash benefits are so low that they could result in homelessness (M)

Fashion magazine editors move away from heroin-chic style popular in fashion photography following death of photographer Davide Sorrenti from heroin overdose; are admitting that glamorizing strung-out heroin addict's look reflects use among industry's young and also has seductive power to cause damage; those whose magazines have served as catalysts for look portrayed in Sorrenti's work say they will adopt more upbeat mood in future issues; photos (M)

The prosecution's main explosives expert in the Oklahoma City bombing case told the jury yesterday that the clothing Timothy J. McVeigh was wearing when he was arrested 90 minutes after the blast had explosives residues on them. In cross-examination, Mr. McVeigh's lawyers continued to attack the integrity of the investigation by the F.B.I. Article, page A12.

Home Shopping Network agrees to acquire 47.5 percent stake in Ticketmaster held by Paul G Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Corp, for $210 million in Home Shopping stock; Home Shopping Network also plans to buy additional 2.5 percent of Ticketmaster on the open market, allowing it to consolidate Ticketmaster's profits; acquisition is expected to bolster both companies' ability to offer home-shopping services while cutting costs (L)