September 27, 1997

US signs package of arms control agreements intended to break logjam that has stalled ratification of Start 2 in Russia, and among them are an agreement giving Russia another five years--until end of 1997--to dismantle launching systems; launching systems must still be disabled by 2003, and Clinton Administration say new agreements, which include Kazakstan, Belarus and Ukraine as well as Russia, will clear the way for new talks to negotiate further cuts in nuclear weapons in Russia and US; another accord modifies Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, reaffirming prohibition on longer-range defensive weapons and barring US from testing or deploying any spaced-based missile defense system but providing new flexibility for development of shorter-range systems intended to replace weapons like Patriot missiles used in Persian Gulf war; graph (M)

Two earthquakes hit central Italy, killing at least 10 people and sending parts of vaulted inner roof of Basilica of St Francis of Assisi crashinging to ground, damaging 13th-century frescoes on its walls and ceiling; two Franciscan friars and two surveyors from Culture Ministry are killed by second quake as they inspect damage from the first; damage is also reported in Rufino, Foligno and Orvieto; photo; map (M)

CASUAL TRADING -- The New York Stock Exchange, where dress codes have been in force since the late 18th century, marked its first dress-down Friday. B3. PROTEST OVER MEDAL -- A police officer who refused to accept a medal from a gay officers' association has set off a storm of protests. B3.

George Vecsey Sports of The Times article cites Pete Rose's failure to admit his wrongdoing in urging sports broadcaster Marv Albert to admit that he needs help to deal with aberrant and cruel sexual behavior; notes Rose's denial that he bet on baseball games keeps him from moving toward goals of being voted into Baseball Hall of Fame and working in sport; photo (M)

Closing of coal mine in Asfordby, Eng, is proceeding on schedule, underscoring how influence of labor unions, which diminished sharply under 18 years of Conservative rule, is continuing to ebb under new Labor Government; mine is Britain's most modern mine, conceived in 1977 under last Labor Government; RJB Mining, which acquired mine in a 1994 privatization, says geological conditions make operating the mine too dangerous; Prime Minister Tony Blair has repeatedly told his party's socialist and trade union wings that his Government will champion productivity, efficiency and competitiveness and a unionism that does not so confront business so much as cooperate with it; photo; map (M)