March 16, 2002

John Nash, Nobel laureate in mathematics whose mental illness is subject of film A Beautiful Mind, will go on television's 60 Minutes to combat rumors of anti-Semitism; some in film industry says he is victim of whisper campaign aimed at scuttling movie's Oscar chances, phenomenon that is now part of intense competition for Academy Awards; Sylvia Nasar, who wrote movie's book, charges journalists with inventing 'fact' about Nash and wife(M)

Treasury Sec Paul H O'Neill, in off-the-record comment following speech before Council on Foreign Relations in New York, says that he opposes Bush administration's recent decision to impose tariffs on imported steel and that move will cost more jobs in US than it will save; reiterates long-held position that imposing tariffs risks nation's interests as world's leader in promoting free trade (M)

Tipper Gore is considering running for Senate, friends and advisers said. Her sudden interest has stunned Democratic officials and friends, who said she was never enthusiastic about her husband's designs on the White House.

Israel pulls forces out of all West Bank towns save Bethlehem, bringing unfamiliar calm to much of area as American mediator, Gen Anthony C Zinni, concludes intensive first round of meetings in search of cease-fire; Pres Bush praises pullback as positive development; US officials say Zinni will undertake high-level talks among political officials from both sides, in tandem with talks about security issues with lower-level officials, in effort to jump-start peace effort; Zinni meets with Israelis and travels to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat; meeting with Arafat is regarded as triumph for Palestinians because major focus of Prime Min Ariel Sharon was to marginalize him; Pres Bush and senior advisers are said to be increasingly skeptical that Sharon has coherent strategy for ending violence; map; photos (M)

Andrea Pia Yates, mentally ill mother convicted of drowning her five children in bathtub, avoids death penalty after Texas jury recommends life sentence that requires that she spend at least 40 years in prison; husband Russell Yates expresses relief at sentence but says family is offended that she was ever prosecuted; blames medical establishment and justice system for failing wife and others with mental illness; photo (M)