The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 1

FRIDAY nr mm 1 ii Jordan is just one of the guys Barons play at Greer tonight The 'Flintstones' are lacking spark Movie a yabba dabba snooze TODAYS I I TONIGHTS HIGH: LOW: 75 50 Complete weather forecast on 8B it NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE A GANNETT NEWSPAPER I Volume 90, No. 147 5 sections Copyright 1994 Second Clan postage paid in Nashville, TN 1 5 .1 II I I 1 1 LjDkJt) I I MM LK(S)aase By Jove! I think we've got it jh i i immt nm i 2)tro dlelfeirasDe ill IV. wf I f-' ll ft? 77 "We have reached the end of the 1 usefulness of I that policy" on I China. Hi- yil PRESIDENT CLINTON China trade status eased without rights progress Tennessean News Services WASHINGTON President Clinton renewed trade privileges for China yesterday, but acknowledged Beijing did not meet his demand for progress in human rights. Business leaders said the decision showed "courage" and would provide a boost for the American economy.

There was no immediate comment from the Chinese government about Clinton's announcement, which was made early today Beijing time. Clinton's move to sever the link between China's trade status and its human rights record was a major retreat from a year ago when he said future renewal of trade privileges would depend on "overall, significant progress" on human rights. But Clinton's announcement came after weeks of agonizing at the highest levels of the administration, whose officials had to contend with shifting signals from the Chinese government and a last-minute campaign from rights advocates. While his deci- sion had been expected, Clinton had not been expected to offer so frank an argument that his own approach had been misguided. Congress could still seek to impose sanctions on China, as it sought unsuccessfully to do during the Bush administration.

But Clinton's remarks amounted to a call for an end to a rjte that since the Tiananmen Square killings in 1989 has caused annual battles linking China's trade status to its human rights conduct. Thus Clinton cast aside the executive order issued last year, when he became the first President to tie China's trade benefits to progress in the treatment of dissidents and Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 2 Aide forced to resign after using Rex Perry Staff Gov. Ned McWherter taps the sign announcing non- sion to the inaugural flight. The governor rescheduled presidential chopper for golf outing stop airline service to London as he leads a proces- himself for a later flight so he could attend a funeral. Nashvillians celebrate long effort to forge British link "The Treasury will not be out one red cent for whatever happened there." Clinton said he had known nothing about the trip until a photo appeared in the Frederick (Md.) News-Post showing Watkins and others boarding a chopper Tuesday after a round of golf at Holly Hills Country Club near New Market, Md.

Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, whose district includes the golf course, had sent Clinton a letter seeking an explanation for the outing. "While I am always happy to welcome I Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 2 WASHINGTON (AP) A senior White House aide resigned under pressure yesterday after it became known he had traveled to a golf outing by presidential helicopter. "The Treasury will not be out one red cent," President Clinton promised. Moving swiftly to put the controversy behind him, Clinton announced the resignation of David Watkins, director of administration, at an afternoon news conference and said he was "very upset" when he learned of Tuesday's incident A second aide was reprimanded.

"Mr. Watkins has resigned and the taxpayers will be fully reimbursed," Clinton said. By CANDY MCCAMPBELL Staff Writer Nashville's first flight to London got a double round of applause when it started down the runway and when it lifted off from Music City last night The American Airlines Boeing 767 jet carrying a full load of political and business leaders, left Nashville about 7:10 p.m., and was to arrive at Gatwick Airport seven hours and 46 minutes later, at 9:35 a.m. in London 3:35 a.m. Nashville time.

Well-wishers lined the airport windows as the jet backed away from the gate, many of them from a crowd of more than 100 Nashvillians who attended a pre-takeoff party, celebrating the success almost four years of lobbying for the international link. For one passenger, the flight was a double first Wallace J. Reid of Nashville had never flown and had little travel expe rience. He said he is looking forward to seeing London's St Paul's Cathedral and Big Ben. Reid is one of five Nashvillians whose names were drawn by Mayor Phil Bredesen to take part in the inaugural flight The jet was routed from Nashville over the Cincinnati and Detroit areas, then eastward over Newfoundland and across the North Atlantic.

2 officers charged with drug use Police act on tip from Murfreesboro residents HI believed this before. "We realize that we all have our weaknesses, but we take oaths to do our jobs." City Manager Roger Haley said he first heard the possibility of officers using drugs two months ago: "Commissioner Jones and I met at the request of several African-American citizens of Murfreesboro, and during the course of the meeting were informed that there was a concern on their part that there might be officers in the Murfreesboro Police Department using illegal drugs." Both officers were delivered termination notices yesterday, pending possible due process hearings June 6. If they choose not to have the hearings, that will be their termination date. They are now on paid leave, and free on their own recognizance. Review of the officers' personnel files showed no previous problems more serious than Alexander being docked a few days' pay for lateness.

By JENNIFER GOODE Staff Writer MURFREESBORO An officer and a sergeant of the Police Department here were arrested yesterday on charges of buying and using crack. Citizens complaints about police drug use were behind the arrests, investigators said. In the investigation, Sgt Albert Miles was videotaped making three off-duty crack buys two May 14 and one May 21, said Police Commissioner Bill Jones. Miles also tested positive for cocaine on duty Monday, Jones said. Officer Leon Alexander was videotaped purchasing and smoking crack May 21, and tested positive for cocaine on duty Monday, investigators said.

Both are 15-year department veterans. "Disappointment is the word most officers have used," Jones said. "Most of them would not have Charlie Herbst 'glad to be says principal By TINI TRAN Staff Writer Charlie Herbst spent yesterday studying for an ecology test during his first day back in the classroom, this time at Murphy Alternative School. Herbst, 14, has spent the last month in home detention after being charged with bringing a pistol to John Trotwood Moore Middle School last month. The gun, which Herbst gave to classmate Jeremy Bryant accidentally discharged, killing Terr-ance Murray, 13.

"He came in a little early, actually," said Murphy Principal Michael Crist. "I found Mom Kathy Herbst to be extremely cooperative and Charlie seems to be a nice kid, interested in learning. "I think he's glad to be back. He actually finished everything we gave him today. A homebound teacher gives him his assignments, and I monitor his progress.

That will be the basic procedure," said Crist who also serves as the only teacher at the newly opened school. Herbst will attend the school until June 10. The facility opened Tuesday to handle Metro students involved in serious disciplinary action. Herbst became only its second student Meanwhile, Bryant 13, who was charged with criminally negligent homicide, spends his days in juvenile detention until a July 19 hearing. He had been sched-uled for trial May 17, but his family changed attor- Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 1 ii Life of Jackie in 'World Hews Extra' 1 1 7 Tomorrow, subscribers to "World News Extra" will get expanded coverage of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' life.

"World News Extra" Is available to subscribers for an additional 50 cents a week. Call 242-NEWS before 6 p.m. today to start subscribing and get tomorrow's section and the Onassis report. Headlines from the day after Jacqueline Kennedy wed Aristotle Onassis: "Jackie Weds Blank Check." "The Reaction Here Is Anger, Shock and Dismay." "Jack Kennedy Dies Today for a Second Time." An acquaintance anticipated the public outcry: "Jackie, you're going to fall off your pedestal if you marry him." Debres Dehrin Staff Shirley Guest, Principal Mike Crist, Kathy Herbst and Charlie Herbst, 14, leave the Murphy Alternative School after its first day. BASKETBALL Patrick Ewina and MUSIC Loirie Morgan will be among per TOAYBREAK CONTENTS POLITICS Democrats Jim Sasser, an incumbent, and Jim Cooper continue to lead in hypothetical matchups in November for Tennessee's two U.S.

Senate seats. A new poll conducted for The Tennessean and WSMV shows their leads eroding some since February when the same question was asked. Transplant surgeon Bill Frist is the closest Republican challenger to Sasser and lawyer-turned-actor Fred Thompson gained some points on Cooper In a race for the seat once held by Vice President Al Gore. On 1B. THINGS TO DO The Eagles might play Nashville, after all.

The announcement of a Starwood date for the group's reunion tour could come next Friday during a press conference set at the amphitheatre. On 1B. The Cumberland Boys lead a weekend of Southern gospel at Opryland. Seventeen acts will perform during the three-day weekend. Other acts appearing include The Stamps, The McGruders, The Speer Family, HeavenBound and The Statesman.

On 14D. again for the New York Knicks. Ewing made all four of his shots and scored 10 points during an 18-2 second-half blitz that lifted the Knicks to an 89-78 victory last night and a 2-0 lead over Indiana In the Eastern Conference best-of-seven fi formers at country Music Fan Fair June 10, when organizers open up the sold-out event to those who don't have weeklong passes. A limited number of $10 tickets go on sale tomorrow and are good only for June 10. Call TicketMaster mn Bridge SOD Local Newt.

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