The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 2

2 A Wdnwly, Pgtembw 30 THE TENNESSON 2 1 WORLD IN 5 MINUTES Conpikxl fnm staff atul uire njfwrts Escapees' hard time gets harder The six escapees who were recaptured and returned to Riverbend Maximum Security Institute will find life behind bars even tougher. The men will lose television and radio privileges, be denied visitors, and be allowed out of their cells only one hour a day for meals and mandatory exercise. Each will be given only a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and scant reading and writing materials. On IB. ROAD WELCOMED Many around Gallatin believe the extension of Vietnam Veterans Boulevard will solve local traffic congestion -not to mention the economic boom that city and county officials expect with the quick link to Interstate 65.

On IB. sua Yemen extremists kill hostages Yemeni troops exchanged gunfire with Islamic extremists holding 16 Western tourists hostage yesterday, ending the kidnapping that left four British hostages dead. The 16 tourists 12 Britons, two Americans and two Australians were kidnapped Monday. Tribesmen in unruly Yemen have frequently kidnapped tourists to pressure the government into providing them with new roads, water or clinics. But the hostages generally have been treated as guests and released unharmed.

On 3A. CONFLICT WITH IRAQ A defiant Iraq said yesterday that its aircraft are flying in the "no-fly" zones patrolled by U.S. and British war-planes and its anti-aircraft batteries remain ready to fire on allied planes. Yesterday's move appeared aimed at building support among Arabs who protested U.S.-British airstrikes, but whose governments did little to back Iraqi demands for lifting U.N. sanctions.

On 4A. 'BYGONES' FROM KHMER ROUGE A top leader of the Khmer Rouge muttered an apology yesterday, saying he was "sorry, very sorry" for the suffering he had caused the Cambodian people. Khieu Samphan repeatedly urged Cambodians and foreigners to "let bygones be bygones" regarding the Khmer Rouge's 1975-1979 rule in Cambodia when he was head of state. More than 1 million people, nearly a fourth of the country's population, were killed or died of starvation, disease or overwork during that time. On 4A.

HOPE FOR AMPUTEES Before rebel attackers shattered Yanor Kanu's life by hacking off both of her hands with a dull machete blade, her greatest pleasure was holding her grandchildren in her arms. Now she's learning to use crab-like pincers on each forearm. In Si- erra Leone, a country where thousands of de AP COMPOSING THEIR MESSAGE Volunteers in Pasadena, decorate the Simon Wie- Vanderbilt men to hoop it up Vanderbilt men's basketball Coach Jan van Breda Kolff and his players didn't get what they wanted for Christmas. All they asked for was a routine. Yet they're still struggling to get into a groove after nearly a month of irregularly scheduled games, including an ugly loss at Oregon.

The Commodores (8-3) finally bounce back into action tonight at Memorial Gym against Alabama (4-5). On IOC. senthal Center's Museum of Tolerance float for the 1999 Rose Parade. The entry depicts Jerusalem's Western Wall. Placing messages of peace and prayers in a crack of the Western Wall is an age-old custom.

iiiM III I in I im Warm up mind before workout January is the month for fitness, so grab your sneakers and Spandex and join the droves at the gym. But flexing your mind before running to the gym may help you set and meet realistic goals. On 8D. Big spenders win most elections In one of every six congressional races this fall, at least one candidate's campaign cost $1 million or more, federal election records indicate. Those who spent seven figures won more than three-quarters of the time.

Those who study political fund-raising say several factors have increased the number of seven-figure House campaigns, including television costs and incumbent fund-raising. Despite the increase in million-dollar campaigns, overall campaign spending dropped slightly in 1998, the FEC reported yesterday. The biggest House spender was outgoing Speaker Newt Gingrich, who spent $7.2 million between Jan. 1, 1997, and Nov. 23, 1998, much of it to aid his fellow House Republicans.

In the Senate, the biggest spender was Alfonse D'Amato, who spent $24 million between Jan. 1, 1997, and Nov. 25, 1998, in his unsuccessful re-election bid. On 6A. FEDERAL BUDGET White House officials are mulling a budget package that includes new education and health-care programs and a hefty boost in military spending but don't expect to see a sweeping tax cut.

Instead, targeted tax breaks for child care, disabled workers, housing and businesses that try to reduce air pollution are on the table. On 6A. Three arrests made in plot to assassinate prison director Three alleged gang members were arrested this week in Phoenix on charges of plotting to assassinate Arizona's prison chief, who investigators say was just moments away from being gunned down at a restaurant when two officers walked in for lunch and scared the hit men away. Authorities said yesterday that the former prison inmates were bent on killing Corrections Director Terry Stewart in retaliation for his get-tough policy toward gangs behind bars. The alleged plot came to light in November when an inmate was stabbed by another inmate, supposedly for failing to carry out a killing ordered by the gang.

The victim sought police protection and told them about the plot. On 11 A. RIDING THE ODDS Three buses going to or from casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., have crashed since Christmas Eve, bringing closer scrutiny of bus safety and demands for more stringent driver training. Eight passengers on a bus from New York City were killed on Christmas Eve when it ran off the Garden State Parkway. About 1,000 buses bring gamblers to this Jersey shore city every day.

More than 10 million passengers and 410,000 buses are expected by the end of this year. On 11 A. fenseless villagers have been mutilated in a brutal campaign by rebels seeking revenge for their ouster from power earlier this year, Red Cross doctors have resurrected an almost forgotten World War I-era surgical operation to rehabilitate and give hope to the country's growing ranks of amputees. On 4A. Brain may reprogram itself to compensate for hearing loss The brains of deaf people reorganize themselves, rewiring an area primarily responsible for hearing for other uses that may help communication, suggests research being done at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Using images of the human brain at work, researchers have found that the right auditory cortex, once thought to be nearly dormant in people who are deaf, is busy with activity when the deaf read lips. The research has an immediate and practical application in urging new precautions during surgery on deaf people. On 13A. Theater becoming nightclub Cinema South, the defunct four-theater movie house, is rising again as the Outer Limit. Nightclub veteran Toney Fidanza and investor Bob Long are converting the empty facility into a "Vegas-style" feature attraction with four dance and music clubs and a restaurant.

On IE. Lott, House managers divided over whether to call witnesses Arts, local politics drive Channel 8's new agenda 3 The managers and House Republican aides said they were stunned and angered by Lott's remarks, which they learned of from reporters and TV news reports. "It's like swimming the English Channel with your feet tied," said one House Republican aide. "It's a slap in the face of the House." The House managers were assigned specific tasks for the trial. F.

James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin will give the opening statement. James E. Rogan of California and Hyde will give the closing arguments. Four managers were assigned to prepare for witnesses, and three would argue procedural motions.

woman for Tom Daschle of South Dakota, the Senate minority leader, said no one had "conclusively signed off' on Lett's proposal, including his insistence that no witnesses be summoned. But she added that Democrats would like to see a speedy trial and that witnesses would probably make it more protracted. The House managers, however, were nearly insistent on a fullblown trial with as many as 15 witnesses. While the managers did not discuss specific witnesses in their meeting, lawmakers said afterward that they could include Monica Betty Currie, the president's secretary'; and Vernon Jordan, his longtime confidant. ter the 106th Congress convenes.

The trial, Lott told NBC News, would begin Jan. 11 and last "a week or two." with Jan. 22 being a target date for finishing. The president is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address Jan. 19.

Under this scenario, the Senate would vote on the two articles perjury before a federal grand jury and obstruction of justice. Most senators have said they do not believe there are the 67 votes necessary to remove Clinton. So if the president was acquitted, the Senate might vote on a resolution of censure. Ranit Schmelzer, a spokes of content I don't think we're anywhere near ready to do that But I think down the road we may." To that end, Bass this month hired a new director of broadcasting. Beth Curley, currently with WGBY-TV in Springfield, will begin work Jan.

19 and will be in charge of decisions about program scheduling and program production. The press release that announced Curley's hiring specifically used the words "local and national program production." In its 35 years, WDCN has produced only one or two cultural programs, mainly in the country and bluegrass genre, that have been made available nationally by PBS. In the nearer future, Bass said, a big priority will be to "play a strong role" in the 1999 mayoral election, which portends to be wide open with at least three candidates vying for the job Mayor Phil Bredesen is leaving after two terms. In the past WDCN, along with other Tennessee public TV stations, has sponsored debates of some statewide and local races. Bass said he hoped to devote more time to next year's Nashville mayoral election.

In addition to debates and conversations with candidates, that might include production of deeper analyses of critical issues. "It seems to me that when you look at the media landscape sure, it gets coverage in the newspaper and on the radio and television but there are not a lot of opportunities for longer forums or in-depth issues in conversations with candidates," Bass said. For his part, Bredesen said Bass' idea is a sound one, and said he might offer to participate in WDCN's efforts. Campaigns covered by TV soundbites and short newspaper stories don't do justice to the important issues at hand, the mayor said. Bass also has reinvigorated WDCN's fund-raising efforts.

The December drive raised $173,000, a 7 increase over last year. Instead of trying to recruit new members, WDCN is working hard to improve its relationship with its 17,000 existing members in Middle Tennessee, Bass said. So far, WDCN has raised an extra $53,000 this year by calling 1,000 viewers whose mem- i berships had lapsed. Financial stability is a key to WDCN's future, as is its ability to make a smooth transition from under the Metro school board. Still, Bass said WDCN will need more than money to excel.

"The real key to making good television, I've found, is that it doesn't matter so much how good your equipment is; it's the quality of the ideas and the quality of the people who carry it out" Bass said. interview from Channel 8 studios near the state fairgrounds. "It's a matter of painting that vision for the general public what it is that this station can become after the transition," he said. "And I think what people will see is a station much more connected to its local community, much more focused on serving a broad variety of needs, but doing it very, very well." A cornerstone of Bass' plan is developing local cultural programming, and he has spent his first month visiting with the leaders of local cultural and academic institutions to discuss his ideas. "I see it as being a huge area of unmet need in the Nashville area," Bass said.

"And by that I mean the country music industry and beyond." In Boston, Bass said, WGBH produced programs that explored the city's cultural arts, from the ballet and pops orchestra to lesser-known theater and music groups. "There's no shortage of great ideas in this community, both things that we should be reflecting back to the community itself and possibly things we're going to be wanting to share with a broader audience, whether it be statewide, regional or national. "I don't think we're ready yet to decide we're to be a national producer Lewinsky testimony may be required, Bryant says Senate of stopping a trial early and censuring Clinton. "There's nothing we can do about that. Personally, I think they need to hear the evidence," he said.

But, he added, the Senate has "a different constitutional respon-sihilitv" from that of the House. BjJTOBENDER Timirwnm Wittimsmii Hiimm WASHINGTON Rep. Ed Bryant said yesterday the last thing he wants to see is Monica Lewinsky testifying before the U.S. Senate about the salacious details of her affair ith President Clinton. But, he added, that might be necessary.

"Obviously, there is material that none of us wants to be before the American public," Bryant said after a two-hour meeting with the other House prosecutors selected to try an impeachment case before the Senate. "Ideally, we are looking for a stipulation by Clintonl of the record," Bryant said, referring to Lewinsky's grand jury testimony. "It may be time-consuming to call witnesses, but it may be necessary." Bryant said he has little to say about talk in the LS" and censure rather than removal Fill rom '1lce cou' an pt'on 'or If he were a senator, Bryant said, he has no doubt he would convict Clinton and remove him from office. "I still think he's committed impeachable offenses. Factually there's really not a contest there," he said.

Lawmaker renews call for .08 DUI standard Venue change expected to help game What they passed last year was an excellent step. I think they have already done the right thing." Although the state's limit for first-time DUI offenders is now .10, second and subsequent offenders are subject to prosecution if they register .08 or more on the blood alcohol test Those younger than the legal drinking age of 21 who register .02 are subject to DUI charges, while commercial drivers are considered legally impaired with a .04 level. 1 tive session. "I think he would want to see the legislation in final form, but he has been very supportive of drunk-driving legislation over the past four years." Lobbyists for the beer and liquor industry say they oppose the .08 bill because it targets social drinkers. They say the problem instead is with people who are very drunk.

The driving-while-impaired law passed earlier this year is "very strong" and needs time to work, says beer lobbyist Rich Foge. "I think what the legislature accomplished was substantial," Foge said. "It addresses the .08, as well as what we see as the real problem, the high (blood-alcohol content) offender and the repeat offender. "The legislators of Tennessee have been responsible in recent years in strengthening our DUI laws. long as some of these people are there," Beavers said.

Beavers said she will again seek the assistance of Gov. Don Sundquist in her attempts to pass the bill. Sundquist endorsed the .08 bill this year but later agreed to compromise legislation establishing a driving-while-impaired law for first offenders caught driving with a blood-alcohol content between .08 and .10. Such an offender would face a fine of $500 for a first offense. The law also raises the penalty for fourth or subsequent DUI convictions to a Class felony punishable by a fine of $3,000 to $15,000 and at least 150 consecutive days in jail.

Sundquist's press secretary, Beth Fortune, said she did not know whether the governor will endorse the .08 bill in the upcoming legisla and parking is horrendous," he said. "I think the new stadium, once it's completed, will have a tremendous local draw. I hope the people in Nashville gain an appreciation for the economic benefits it brings to the city." Neither the location nor the gloomy weather stopped tens of thousands of out-of-town fans from heading to Nashville for the game. "When I found out Alabama was playing in Nashville, I said 'Aww man, what does Nashville said James Goodin of Alexander City, Ala. "But after being here it's been great Second Avenue is better than Bourbon Street could ever be.

I see a lot of gK)d things happening around this bowl." the competing teams and was confident many Middle Tennessee minds would change in time for next year. "I think we've done a lot to make it a local event as well," he said. "We closed down Second Avenue for the Battle of the Bands, the Fan Walk and tickets are available to the general public. We've got plenty of seats, plenty of activities, and I only think it'll grow from this year. Hopefully this will be an event where people can plan for it and make it a part of their holiday plans." Richard Jenkins of Henderson-ville, who was also at the mall yesterday, said he didn't give much thought to attending this year's game.

But next year might be different Vanderbilt Stadium "is too small and alleviate the pressure from parking." For some area residents, who have had their fill of traffic nightmares recently, the area around Vanderbilt was a must to avoid. "Remind me to stay out of that part of town during that part of the day." said David Baird of Franklin, who was shopping yesterday at The Mall at Green Hills. "I'm sure it's going to bring some money to the city, but what's this bowl going to do for me?" Ramsey said he is aware of the distance some area residents are keeping between themselves and the game. He emphasized that the bowl is not designed exclusively for fans of The text plate at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, measures 2 V2 feet by 2 12 feet The measurement was incorrect in a story yesterday oh Page 1A The Tennessean regrets the error. i.