January 10, 2004

Defense Dept designates Saddam Hussein as prisoner of war, legal status that sets standards for how he is treated and allows International Committee of Red Cross to see him; information about Hussein has been tightly guarded, although members of Iraqi Governing Council were allowed to confirm his identity; senior US officials say FBI has become increasingly involved in questioning Hussein, signaling that authorities view him as potential defendant in legal proceeding as well as intelligence source; CIA remains in overall control, but FBI involvement reflects CIA reluctance to allow covert officers to take part in interrogations that could force them to appear as court witnesses (M)

New York Mets' relatively modest contract offer to outfielder Vladimir Guerrero reflects what is perceived as his diminished market value (M)

Bob Diamond's effort to restore trolley service to Brooklyn ends as city tears up track and landlord of warehouse where he repairs equipment starts eviction proceedings; he has been trying for two decades to run line from Red Hook section to Downtown Brooklyn, mostly along refurbished tunnel under Atlantic Avenue; photos (M)

Rev Al Sharpton's campaign has paid thousands of dollars for him to stay in luxury hotels and to travel around country with his own personal filmmaker Eddie Harris, even as he has struggled to raise contributions for his longshot presidential bid; review of Sharpton's most recent campaign report, filed in Sept, shows it is marked by oversights, errors and potential violations; campaign in many ways parallels Sharpton's personal and professional lives when it comes to finances, according to court, New York State and New York City records; such records reveal series of judgments, lawsuits and tax debts; Charles Halloran, Sharpton's campaign manager, comments; Sharpton photos (M)

Plea Talks In Enron Case Said to Unravel**Plea negotiations collapse between Federal prosecutors and Enron Corp's former chief financial officer Andrew S Fastow and his wife Lea following rejection of proposed terms by presiding Judge David Hittner; Fastow faces 98 counts of fraud, and his wife is charged with concealing illegal income from Internal Revenue Service; possible loss of Fastow's testimony could undermine prosecution's case against other Enron executives (M)