April 18, 2002

Secretary of State Colin Powell leaves Israel without cease-fire he came for; says no truce could take hold until Israel withdraws from Palestinian-controlled cities and towns its forces have seized; antagonists seem angrier and more fearful of each other, and with less ground for hope that even high-level American intervention could force halt to violence by either side; Powell ends his six-day trip with harsh words for Israel and for Palestinians and their leader Yasir Arafat; some Israeli officials express satisfaction with his trip, saying he helped calm fighting along Israel's northern border; Palestinian officials bitterly assess his mission as failure, blaming Prime Min Ariel Sharon; Arab nations express frustration that US has not put more pressure on Sharon; Pres Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, one of few Arab nations that have been allied with US, cancels meeting with Powell during stopover in Cairo, sending his foreign minister instead; photo (M)

Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan says he is in no rush to raise interest rates because he wants to take more time to assess strength and sustainability of economy recovery, testimony before Congress's Joint Economic Committee; investors and economists interpret him to mean that Fed will hold rates steady at its next meeting, on May 7, and maybe at subsequent meeting, on June 25-26, as well; Greenspan says there is little threat from inflation, giving Fed luxury of being patient; contends economy faces number of risks in short run; among them is possibility of economic stall if businesses that had been whittling their inventories of unsold goods last year stop rebuilding their supplies in warehouses and stores (M)

Singapore says exports fell 17.3 percent in March compared with year ago; Thailand says exports in March fell about 5 percent (S)

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Footlights: Princeton University Art Museum will open exhibit of two works by Flemish master Anthony van Dyck and depiction of Christ by Titian; Opera Orchestra of New York will conclude season with concert performance of Marino Faliero with John Relyea in title role; Hermitage Rooms of Somerset House in London will open exhibit of works by German artist Caspar David Friedrich; former American poet laureate Robert Pinsky, on nationwide tour with Takacs Quartet, appears in New York; Canadian Mavis Gallant is named winner of annual $30,000 Rea Award for short story; photos (M)