UNITED NATIONS . . . TAKING A SOUND BITE OUT OF CRIME

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali opened a three-day conference in Naples, Italy with a plea to law-enforcement officials from 138 nations to develop a global plan to combat growing international organized crime -- including more sophisticated police networks and legal systems for younger democracies. "In Europe, in Asia, in Africa and in America, the forces of darkness are at work and no society is spared," he said. But Attorney General Janet Reno and delegates from Britain, Australia and other countries immediately shot the idea down as too ambitious, saying countries should focus on national laws. Still, Russian officials --facing thefts of weapons-grade plutoniumthat have prompted fears about the growing power of organized crime -- said "no government alone" could fight the tide and asked for help.Post your opinion on theInternationalbulletin board.