THE WEEK: AUGUST 13-19

NATION

COUNTERMOVES IN THE GULF

Heeding warnings from two high-level Iraqi defectors that Saddam Hussein has recently considered attacking Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the U.S. sent ships carrying supplies and equipment to the Persian Gulf and ordered 1,400 troops to Kuwait for military maneuvers. Pentagon officials expressed concern about elite Iraqi forces conducting "unusual training activities" around Baghdad.

NEW WHITEWATER INDICTMENTS

Two Clinton associates in the Whitewater deal were indicted by a federal grand jury in Little Rock. James McDougal and his former wife Susan were named in a 21-count indictment that included charges of fraud, conspiracy and making false statements to obtain federally backed loans. And there were 11 new charges against Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker, who did legal work for the failed savings and loan owned by the McDougals. (Tucker was indicted in June on separate charges.) President Clinton and his wife were not charged-as an accompanying press release from independent counsel Kenneth Starr pointed out.

HURRICANE BILL HITS WYOMING

Bringing golf clubs and hiking boots, the President and his family flew into Wyoming's gorgeous Teton mountain range for a long-anticipated-and surely welcome-vacation. The First Family has settled into a lavishly rustic 8,000-sq.-ft. house that belongs to West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller-one of only a handful of Clinton's political soulmates in this staunchly Republican state.

LAST QUARTER FOR BRADLEY

New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley-a former New York Knicks basketball star, Rhodes Scholar and all-around Democratic deep thinker-said he would not seek re-election in 1996. Calling the U.S. political system "broken," the respected Bradley added that he had grown disillusioned after three Senate terms. "Neither political party speaks to people where they live their lives," he declared. Although Bradley said he would not challenge Clinton in the 1996 Democratic primaries, he did not rule out the possibility of running as an independent.

RUBY RIDGERS WIN $3 MILLION

The family of white separatist Randy Weaver was awarded a $3.1 million settlement by the Justice Department. Three years ago, Weaver's wife and 14-year-old son were killed by U.S. agents in a bloody standoff at his Ruby Ridge cabin in northern Idaho. Weaver-who is something of a hero to the militia movement-was accused of killing an agent in the shootout.

"SIR, I PLEAD NOT GUILTY"

With those words, Timothy McVeigh responded to 11 charges in the Oklahoma City bombing. Each bears a possible death penalty. Fellow defendant Terry Nichols also entered a not guilty plea.

UNFRIENDLY FIRE FOR THE U.S.A.F.

What had been a slap on the wrist became something a little more forceful as the Air Force re-examined the accidental downing of two U.S. Army helicopters over northern Iraq. An earlier Air Force criminal inquiry brought charges against only one officer, and he was acquitted on all counts. A new report by General Ronald Fogleman, the Air Force Chief of Staff, cites two generals for poor judgment and failure to uphold Air Force standards; five airmen were barred from airborne assignments for at least three years. Twenty-six people died in the 1994 "friendly fire" tragedy, including 15 Americans.

BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE