December 1, 1998

New-York Historical Society exhibit on dining in New York at turn of twentieth century invites comparisons with food and restaurant fashions of today; photos (M)

Roger Berlind to attend opening of The Blue Room, his 33d production since leaving investment banking for theatrical producing 22 years ago; interview on difficult financing of plays; photos, including scenes from some of Berlind's shows; McCarter Theater in Princeton has also announced construction of Roger S Berlind Theater, with $3.5-million grant from producer (S)

Special report, Masking of a Militant, on shadowy past of Ali A Mohamed, former Egyptian Army officer who has been jailed in New York on charges of conspiring with Osama bin Laden, Saudi exile sought in US embassy bombings in Africa; Mohamed, who was turned down for job as CIA operative in 1984, entered US legally in 1985 despite being on State Department's terrorist 'watch list'; subsequently cultivated range of useful relationships with American Govt, such as enlisting in Army and being cooperating witness for FBI; his aggressive support for Islamic causes and open curiosity about intelligence matters raised eyebrows among colleagues in Army's elite Special Forces unit; before honorable discharge he regularly traveled to New York City area to train in basic military doctrine circle of Islamic militants, many of whom have since been convicted of plotting series of terrorist attacks, including 1993 bombing of World Trade Center; Mohamed reportedly forged ties with bin Laden as early as 1991; was said to be adept at obtaining false documents for bin Laden's organization and to have assisted with logistical tasks, such as bin Laden's move from Afghanistan to Sudan in 1991; US officials say he was fully enmeshed in dual life in early 1990's, simultaneously collaborating with bin Laden while talking regularly with Federal agents about Saudi exile and other issues; say case is modern espionage parable in which Mohamed was trying to manipulate American investigators even as they were using him to gain window into bin Laden's activities; photos (L)

US Appeals Court rules that hundreds of demonstrators from Housing Works, an AIDS service organization, can hold rally Dec 1 in parking area in front of New York City's City Hall but cannot set foot on building's 11 steps; Giuliani administration has virtually shut down public access to City Hall; both sides publicly declare partial victory; court leaves unanswered its reasons for barring demonstrators from City Hall's steps (M)

Profile of Bankers Trust Corp chairman-chief executive Frank N Newman, who has been forced into act he firmly opposed as recently as five months ago: sale of Bankers Trust; links decision to sell bank to huge trading losses and nasty internal strife; photo (M)9