March 14, 2001

Big international oil companies are starting to be portrayed in media in Kazakhstan as exploiters of Kazakhstan's rich hydrocarbon resources, its government and its people; biggest target is Chevron, which owns half of Tengizchevroil, operator of Tengiz oil field; Tengizchevroil has been held up as model for other foreign investors, but new generation of Kazakhstani business leaders has arisen in recent years that feels less beholden to Chevron and more eager to move out of its shadow and into areas dominated by foreign investors; graph (M)

US bans imports of animals and animal products from European Union countries in response to spread of foot-and-mouth disease from Britain to France; photos; virus poses little danger to people but is virulently contagious and devastating among cloven-hoofed animals; Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and other countries take parallel measures; Canada bans meat from Argentina as well because disease has been found there; Agriculture Department explains that most cheeses and cured or cooked meats are not affected because heating preparation kills virus; pork producers are most affected since most European beef is already banned by US because of mad cow disease (M)

Merger mania that swept hospital industry in New York and around country has meant little, with most major health institutions apparently joined in legal documents and backroom functions only; few clinical programs and no medical schools have been merged, and promises of financial triumph are largely unrealized; executives such as Dr Herbert Pardes of New York-Presbyterian say full-service hospitals with undiluted services are called for in every New York neighborhood, although basic explanation is that doctors refuse to give up power or areas of care; photo (M)

Tyco International will acquire CIT Group for cash and stock worth $9.2 billion; deal would end independence of one of last free-standing commercial finance companies; Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank of Japan, which owns about 71 million CIT shares, agrees to accept its portion for $2.49 billion in cash (Market Place column) (M)

Marc Veyrat becomes undisputed superstar of French cuisine when Michelin awarded him two of its highest ratings and demoted Alain Ducasse; is proponent of more modern, personal style of French cooking based on herbs and forgotten vegetables; photo of Veyrat in kitchen of his restaurant, La Ferme de Mon Pere, in Megeve, France; recipes (L)