March 20, 2004

Investors and former workers who lost money and their pensions in 2002 collapse of Global Crossing will receive $325 million in settlement of class-action lawsuit; company's founder Gary Winnick will contribute $30 million to settlement; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Global Crossing's law firm, will pay $19.5 million, even though firm was not named as defendant; Pender Insurance Co, which insured officers and directors of Global Crossing and its affiliate, Asia Global Crossing, pay bulk of settlement; investors who bought Global Crossing securities beginning in 1999 will receive $245 million and former employees will receive $80 million; tentative settlement will be submitted to final approval hearing before Federal Judge Gerard E Lynch in about three months; photo (M)

Fall of Iraqi Pres Saddam Hussein has spawned sort of 'what if' process in Syria in which some people are openly questioning government doctrine and challenging state oppression; it would have been inconceivable year ago for citizen of Syria, run by Baath Party of Pres Bashar al-Assad, to make documentary film with working title Fifteen Reasons Why I Hate the Baath; Omar Amiralay says watching overthrow of Hussein across border in Iraq prompted him to do just that; Syrian Baath Party remains firmly in control, ruling through emergency laws that basically suspend all civil rights, but subtle changes have begun; Syrians do not know what locked doors they can push open, but they are trying to find out; photo (M)

Few figures in Connecticut government or politics express support for Gov John G Rowland as scandal around him escalates; photos; University of Connecticut poll finds 61 percent of those questioned want him to resign (M)

Pakistan Standoff Goes On Pakistani troops inched toward villages holding several hundred suspected militants, possibly including Al Qaeda's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. PAGE A7 Global Crossing Settlement Investors and former workers who lost money and their pensions in the collapse of Global Crossing will receive $325 million in a settlement of a class-action lawsuit. PAGE C1

US military drops all charges, including one of mishandling classified information, against Capt James J Yee, former Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; does not want to proceed with trial because to do so could expose sensitive evidence to public view; case against Yee, who officials once suggested was part of espionage ring, has become lingering embarrassment for Pentagon; Yee will have to face administrative hearing on charges of adultery and possession of pornography, but he will not have to face Army court-martial; Yee photo (M)