July 20, 2003

Anemona Hartocollis Coping column on fig tree growing in front yard in Jackson Heights, Queens, which was smuggled into US by Italian immigrant, rooted in Staten Island and given to Haitian immigrants Rita and Henri Clermont; Clermonts are only ones on block with fig trees, so they are accustomed to giving figs to strangers who come knocking, mostly foreigners; drawing (M)

Process of selecting candidates to run for New York State Supreme Court described; law requires that political parties nominate candidates at judicial conventions, not in primaries; conventions are attended by delegates elected on neighborhood level; in theory, conventions are intended to help achieve civic goal by allowing citizens, through their votes, to decide makeup of state's highest trial court; but in practice, according to legal experts, conventions have become cynical exercises, another cog in operation of political party machines, where party leaders often dictate nominations, frequently handing them to loyalists or big contributors; list of delegates to Democratic convention last year in Brooklyn, where party's role in selection of judges is subject of criminal investigation, illustrates hold over process; delegates describe process as formality, rubber stamp for party control (L)

Carlos Sastre wins 13th stage at Tour de France; Lance Armstrong maintains overall lead; map; photos (M)

Abbas Offers His Vision Struggling to persuade Palestinians to accept a new peace plan and convince Israelis of his ability to put it into effect, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian prime minister, faces a crucial week of diplomacy. PAGE 8 F.B.I. Accused of Bias An F.B.I. agent has sued the bureau, saying he was blocked from Sept. 11 investigations because he is Arab-American. PAGE 16

Thomas Bjorn takes third-round lead at British Open; photos (M)