News Digest August 22-28

NATION

Bringing in the Sheik

Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman has finally been indicted for conspiring with 14 of his followers to wage what prosecutors last week called a "war of urban terrorism." The group allegedly orchestrated February's World Trade Center bombing and plotted to attack other New York City landmarks. Though at first the radical cleric could not be directly linked to the acts, a federal grand jury indicted him under a seldom-used sedition law.

Sanctions Against China

The U.S. prohibited the sale of nearly $1 billion in high-technology goods by American firms to China over the next two years as punishment for China's violations of international arms-control agreements. After months of deliberating by intelligence officials, the U.S. found that China had indeed sold sensitive missile technology to Pakistan, a charge that Beijing had repeatedly denied.

Elite U.S. Troops to Somalia

President Clinton dispatched 400 of the Army's elite Rangers to Somalia, beefing up the U.S. presence there following a series of attacks on American troops that killed four. Defense Secretary Les Aspin said U.S. forces will stay until the Somali capital is calm, rebel leaders give up their heavy weapons, and a national police force is in place.

Dad Was an SS Man

Newly discovered documents reveal that the father of General John Shalikashvili served in a Nazi Waffen SS unit. Shalikashvili, nominated by President Clinton to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, did not comment on the information; a White House spokeswoman said it was "not relevant."

Wetlands Compromise

In familiar fashion, the Clinton Administration has devised a split-the- difference plan -- this one dealing with the nation's wetlands -- that has something to please and displease everyone. The policy will protect all of Alaska's more than 100 million acres of marshes, riverbanks and the like and close loopholes that would have let developers build in otherwise protected areas. But the compromise will also permit farmers who filled in their wetlands before 1985 to keep working their land.

Detroit Officers Found Guilty

Former police officers Larry Nevers and Walter Budzyn were convicted of second-degree murder last week in the fatal beating of motorist Malice Green. The ex-officers are white; Green was black.

Denny Recounts His Tale

White truck driver Reginald Denny took the stand last week in the trial of the black men accused of dragging him from his truck at a Los Angeles intersection and beating him almost to death. Because of his injuries, Denny says, he remembers nothing of the actual beating.

Trade-Pact Rebellion

Defying President Clinton, David Bonior, third-ranking Democrat in the House, said he would use his majority whip's office to organize opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which would eliminate tariff barriers between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Democrats are already badly split on the pact.

Marching for King's Dream