April 30, 2003

Bloomberg administration reaches out to New York City's private sector to help offset effects of $3.8-billion deficit; Mayor Michael Bloomberg has asked friends to pay for major city events, told commissioners to ask foundations and corporations to sponsor events and city sites and restarted New York City Public Private Initiatives, to be led by Steven Rattner; private sector is underwriting festivals, cultural affairs positions, anti-terrorism security measures and educational programs; sample of letters responding to gossip columnist Liz Smith's request for donations to city in honor of her 80th birthday; photo; Bloomberg himself has set tone with generous philanthropy during most of his professional life, and calls on friends to join him (M)

Terminal 3 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, which is finished, but not yet open, is subject of court battle; current government canceled 1999 contract signed by previous administration; Wilhelm Bender, chairman of Germany's Fraport AG, which built airport as part of joint venture, is fighting to recoup its investment; Fraport closes books on venture, taking $318 million charge that wipes out its profits and leaves it with $132 million net loss for 2002; Fraport has filed arbitration claim against Philippine government with World Bank; photos (M)

Some international investors are hesitant about where in world to put their capital because war in Iraq and uncertainty it created cost economy dearly; 3i Corp chief executive Martin M Gagen says Bush administration has made it clear that it wishes to take battle to more than just Iraq; investors believe US' fundamental economic strength continues to justify its place as favored target for capital; Merrill Lynch chief global investment strategist David P Bowers says rest of world is being asked to fund Bush's tax cuts and war on Iraq; holds America's foreign policy has created tension and vulnerability in its economic situation; J P Morgan Fleming Asset Management strategist Stuart A Schweitzer says heightened tensions with traditional allies are affecting international investors' confidence in US; graph (M)

New Jersey Nets defeat Milwaukee Bucks, 89-82, to lead first-round playoff series, 3-2; photos (M)

US will withdraw all combat forces from Saudi Arabia by this summer, ending military presence that began as joint operation to contain Saddam Hussein after 1991 Persian Gulf war but has become dangerous for US troops because of terrorism stoked by Osama bin Laden; US anger has also swelled since Sept 11 terrorist attacks in which 15 of 19 hijackers were Saudi; Sec Donald Rumsfeld and Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz say in news conference in Riyadh that ouster of Hussein creates 'safer region' that allows pullout; photos; only small longstanding training program will continue; US is already pulling out of sprawling air base for new base in Qatar; prince denies asking US to withdraw, but announcement is broadcast on television; Saudis have suggested departure will help them institute political reforms (M)