May 29, 2004

Dan Barry column reports on Nicole Goodwin, Iraq War veteran who returned home to New York City and had trouble finding apartment for herself and her baby daughter; she has received $17,000 in donations from readers and is living in one-bedroom apartment in Harlem with her child; declines free college placement with child care for job paying $12 an hour while she adjusts to civilian life (M)

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, scrambling to control high oil prices, plans to meet in advance of its official conference and may pursue plan to raise quotas sharply or drop them entirely; spokesman Dr Abdulrahman al-Kheraigi says raising quotas by 2.5 million barrels a day would be most realistic option, phone interview; Energy Sec Spencer Abraham, in Moscow, lauds Russia's plans to increase oil exports to United States; says record oil prices are being eased by promises of greater supplies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Nigeria (M)

Influential outside advisers to Bush administration who support Iraqi exile leader Ahmad Chalabi are pressing administration to stop vilifying him; several of supporters, including Richard N Perle and R James Woolsey, met recently with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to complain about 'smear campaign;' Chalabi, favorite of conservatives, is suspected of having given highly classified data to Iran; Perle charges Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and some former intelligence officers plant stories about him, interview; holds American administrator L Paul Bremer III is involved; coalition authorities in Iraq and CIA deny charges (M)

Police recruits searched yesterday near an underpass in Inwood Hill Park for clues to the killing of Sarah Fox, a 21-year-old drama student. Her pink CD player, perhaps the most important clue yet, was found by a detective on Thursday night. Page B3.

Consumer Spending Rises As Economy Gains Strength Consumer spending rose in April and a measure of business in the Chicago area increased to the highest level in almost 16 years, adding to evidence that economic growth is strengthening. Personal spending rose 0.3 percent in April after a March increase of 0.5 percent, which was larger than previously estimated, the Commerce Department reported. The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said its index of area businesses rose to 68, the highest since July 1988. [Page C4.]