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Wednesday November 27 7:11 PM EST

Reuters Politics Summary

EPA Proposes New Air Regs - In a move expected to have far-reaching effects on health and industry, the Clinton administration Wednesday proposed stricter air quality standards for smog and tiny particles that lodge in the lungs. The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing that smog-forming ozone pollution be limited to eight parts per billion measured over eight hours. The current standard allows 12 parts per billion. The EPA also proposed stricter standards for airborne particulates such as soot and sulfates. Industry groups say tighter rules will cost billions of dollars and inconvenience motorists and other consumers. But health and environmental advocates say existing standards are too lax. The EPA is scheduled to issue a final rule in June.

Affirmative Action Ban Blocked - A federal judge Wednesday temporarily blocked enforcement of a California measure eliminating most state and local affirmative action programs. The American Civil Liberties Union said U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson granted its request to issue a temporary restraining order barring state officials from implementing the controversial Proposition 209, which was approved by California voters Nov. 5. Henderson set a set a hearing for Dec. 16 to hear arguments on a motion by the civil rights groups for a preliminary injunction that would continue to freeze Proposition 209 until a trial is held to determine its constitutionality. American Held in Korea Returns Carl Hunziker, the American who was detained in North Korea for three months on espionage charges, returned home Wednesday telling reporters it felt great to be back in the United States. Hunziker, who was released Tuesday, arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on an American Airlines flight from Tokyo. In a brief meeting with reporters, Hunziker, 26, said he was treated fairly by the North Koreans and was looking forward to spending the Thanksgiving Day holiday with his family. In Washington a brief White House statement said "the president warmly welcomes the release."

Admin. Considers Welfare Changes - The White House confirmed Wednesday it is studying ways to amend the landmark welfare overhaul that President Clinton signed into law earlier this year. But spokesman Mike McCurry described as premature a report that said the Clinton administration may seek to restore about one-quarter of the $55 billion in savings the overhaul created. Quoting U.S. officials, the New York Times today said the White House is studying restoring food stamp eligibility for legal immigrants who are not yet citizens, increasing food stamp allotments to families with high housing costs and relaxing some of the strict work requirements for adults without children.

US Still Opposing UN Chief - The United States, scenting that the tide may be turning in its lone fight to oust U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Wednesday ruled out reviving its compromise offer that he serve one more year. The State Department said it was encouraged by reports that Ethiopia had urged other African states to abandon their support for Boutros-Ghali and come up with alternative candidates from the continent. Spokesman Nicholas Burns, asked about reports that some European countries favored a limited extension for Boutros-Ghali after his five-year term expires Dec. 31, said: "The United States has taken that offer off the table."

Clinton Aide: Words Were Twisted - The head of President Clinton's Whitewater damage control team said Wednesday she was misquoted in a newspaper report that had her saying some current or former White House aides would be indicted in the affair by the end of February. Jane Sherburne, the White House special counsel who coordinates Whitewater matters, says she has no idea whether Whitewater special prosecutor Kenneth Starr will seek further indictments. "I have no expectation. I don't know what Ken Starr is planning, period," she said in a telephone interview with Reuters. Referring to what she called an erroneous USA Today reporter's account in today's editions, she added: "I don't know what he strung together there."

Perry: No U.S. Military in Zaire - U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry is ruling out the possibility of sending a U.S. combat force to Zaire. But he says Washington is ready to participate in a Canadian proposal to parachute food to thousands of Rwandan refugees in Zaire if necessary. "We are not planning a military operation" Perry said Wednesday in Italy. "We are not planning an operation to send military forces in to perform peacekeeping," he said. But he told U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel the U.S. is ready to be a "full participant" in the Canadian-led air-drop plan. He says plans are expected to be finalized in the next few days.

Perry Cautions on New IFOR - U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry Wednesday had words of caution about the new NATO-led international force planned for Bosnia. In Italy to start a week-long trip around the globe, Perry said the force of 31,000 troops will not guarantee peace and stability in Bosnia. "Fundamentally, the Bosnians themselves are going to have to make those changes," he said. "I think the key to whether they will want to do that is success in the economic restructuring." The new force in Bosnia will include 8,500 U.S. troops and will replace the current NATO-led peace implementation force (IFOR), which is being withdrawn. There are 15,000 Americans in IFOR.

Report: Surplus Weapons Sold - Surplus American weapons that were supposed to be scrapped might have ended up being sold to foreign countries, including China, a U.S. defense official concedes. "Certainly that is possible, but I have no knowledge of it," the official told reporters, speaking on the condition that he not be identified. He commented after U.S. News & World Report magazine and CBS News said they would report this weekend that such weapons are routinely sold. "Millions (of dollars) in surplus Pentagon weapons found their way into the hands of foreign buyers, particularly in China," the two news organizations said in a statement about their coming report.

Gobbler Gets Clinton Pardon - Upholding a 50-year White House tradition, President Clinton "pardoned" a 65-pound turkey Wednesday, sparing it from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. Clinton -- still hoarse from his 12-day Asian trip -- granted the pardon in a White House Rose Garden ceremony. "Tomorrow, 45 million turkeys will pay the supreme sacrifice for our Thanksgiving," Clinton said. "So, continuing a tradition begun 50 years ago by President Truman, I am going to keep one turkey off of the Thanksgiving dinner table. The turkey, presented by the National Turkey Federation and named Carl, was raised by an Ohio family with four children. Its new home will be a petting zoo in Herndon, Va.

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