December 13, 2002

American-backed Iraqi opposition is solidifying ties to Iran and opposing posibility of US-installed government if Saddam Hussein is ousted; leaders of all major groups, preparing to meet in London, welcome help getting rid of Hussein, but warn Iraq would not tolerate American military occupation or American 'viceroy' afterwards; reject US recommendation to refrain from setting up provisional government or assembly; Prof Kanan Makiya explains (M)

At least 10 New York Jets players are involved in brawl during practice, on day after unnamed Jets player is accused of assaulting limo driver Donald Matinsky after team dinner; photo (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column offers humorous suggestions for remakes of movies that would be appropriate to events currently absorbing New Yorkers (M)

Securities regulators and biggest brokerage firms remain deeply at odds on terms of settlement of investigations into Wall Street's conflict-tinged stock research after two days of meetings in New York; sides will again try to reach agreement on how much in fines each firm will pay under settlement and which facts will be released by investigators to public for us by investors wishing to bring their own private lawsuits against firms; basic agreement has been reached on how brokerage firm research department will operate, ensuring that analysts do not become salespeople for firms' investment banking clients; regulators involved in talks are Securities and Exchange Commission, NASD, New York Stock Exchange, New York attorney general's office and North American Securities Administrations Association, which represents state regulators; 12 Wall Street firms include Salomon Smith Barney, unit of Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston and Morgan Stanley (M)

New York Gov George Pataki pledges ambitious effort to overhaul and eventually do away with adult homes system for mentally ill patients, long considered dumping ground for psychiatric patients discharged from state hospitals; teams of mental health workers evaluate state's adult homes and see whether some residents can be resettled into smaller, better-managed facilities; administration has not disclosed how it would finance new housing and say they will present more details when budget is released (M)