June 6, 2000

Perot Unlikely to Run Ross Perot, the founder of the Reform Party and twice its presidential candidate, has all but ruled out challenging Pat Buchanan for the party's nomination this year, a Perot spokesman said. PAGE A20 Wall St. Firm Cited for Bias A federal agency determined that Morgan Stanley Dean Witter had discriminated against women in one of its divisions, opening the door for lawsuits -- and possibly a class action -- against the firm. PAGE C1

A day after he angrily confronted a magazine reporter before a Braves game in Atlanta, the reliever John Rocker was demoted to the minor leagues yesterday and fined $5,000. Rocker, the Braves' main closer, has struggled on the mound recently, and the team said his performance on the field was responsible for the demotion. But it said the fine was a result of an outburst on Sunday in which he shouted at Jeff Pearlman, a Sports Illustrated reporter who wrote the article last December that quoted Rocker as denigrating gays, welfare mothers, minorities and others. According to Pearlman, the pitcher told him, ''Do you know what I can do to you?'' and ''This isn't over between us.''

twisting rock cliches till a message pops through**Ann Powers reviews performance by band Stereolab at Battery Park, part of Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival; photo (S)

Atlanta Braves demote pitcher John Rocker to minor leagues and fine him $5,000 for confrontation with Sports Illustrated writer Jeff Pearlman; photo (M)

Pres Clinton leaves Russia for Ukraine on last leg of final European trip as President; addressed Russian Parliament before departure, urging legislators not to reject Washington's proposal for limited national missile defense and to make changes necessary for full participation in global trade; is welcomed in Kiev by Ukraine Pres Leonid Kuchma, who uses occasion to announce planned closing on December 15 of Chernobyl nuclear power station, site of worst radiation accident in history; says Clinton has pledged to solicit Group of Seven industrialized nations and Russia for help in shouldering costs of shutdown; Clinton pledges additional $78 million in new American aid; addessses thousands gathered in St Michael's Square; photo (M)