February 13, 2002

Former and current Enron Corp executives say in weeks before company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it allowed small group of executives to withdraw their money from deferred compensation program, giving them preferential treatment over some former managers who had also requested early withdrawal; Enron paid millions of dollars in deferred salaries and bonuses to midlevel and high-level executives still working in late November, just before Dec 2 bankruptcy filing, which forced company to suspend payments; number of employees who had retired or recently left company were denied similar payments; some former Enron employees are considering lawsuit in hopes of recovering millions of dollars in deferred compensation they say they are owed; among those unable to withdraw money in November was Charles B Bowman, former senior vice president at Enron Facilities Services; Bowman, who took early retirement in October 2000, says he lost about $750,000 in deferred compensation plan; photos (M)

Carole Montillet (France) wins gold medal in women's downhill ski event; Isolde Kostner (Italy) wins silver medal and Renate Goetschi (Austria) wins bronze medal; photo (M)

Alan Riding Arts Abroad column on latest Berlin Film Festival focuses on issue of whether German film industry can compete with Hollywood; focuses on Tom Tykwer's Heaven, starring Giovanni Ribisi and Cate Blanchett, which got mixed reception; photo (M)

Sec Colin Powell tells Senate Budget Committee Bush administration is considering variety of options for toppling Saddam Hussein in Iraq, amid indications that Pres Bush and advisers are close to settling on serious plan; Powell takes unusually tough tone toward Iraq but draws careful distinction with regard to Iran and North Korea, saying there is no plan to 'start a war' with either; Vice Pres Cheney will visit countries near Iraq that might provide useful support and Iraqi opposition is getting warm reception from administration, although no military training yet; Gen Tommy Franks says plan has not been set yet; photo of Iraqi children at memorial service (M)

Ex-Enron Chairman Cites Fifth Amendment at Hearing After being subjected to a bipartisan verbal barrage from 21 senators, Kenneth L. Lay, the former chairman of Enron, asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and pleaded with members of the Senate Commerce Committee not to rush to judgment about his responsibility for the largest corporate bankruptcy case in American history. Mr. Lay, who sat scowling and impassive through more than an hour of harsh senatorial criticism, was accused of running a criminal conspiracy and gouging the energy consumers of California. [Page A1.] Pfizer Turns to a Younger Pitchman Pfizer wants men to know that Viagra is not just for the 60-and-over crowd. Advertisements that once featured former Senator Bob Dole, who disclosed at age 74 that he had used Viagra after prostate cancer surgery, now show 43-year-old Mark Martin, a star of the Nascar racing circuit. Advertising. [C10.]