U.S. Briefs

February 15, 1996
Web posted at: 3:15 p.m. EST

Christopher to stand tough on environment

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State Warren Christopher has pledged to combat further degradation of the environment, according to a memo he sent to State Department agencies and bureaus.

In an unusual step, the agency released the Wednesday memo that calls for integrating environmental issues into U.S. foreign policy goals.

"America's national interests are inextricably linked with the quality of the earth's environment," Christopher wrote.

Christopher also notes that "worldwide environmental decay threatens U.S. national prosperity." He specifically cites the so-called "greenhouse effect" or global warming as a problem.

The burning of wood, oil and coal, which releases carbon dioxide, is blamed for much of the warming. Scientists say the average temperature at the Earth's surface has risen 1 degree Fahrenheit since 1900.

Simpson to reveal his net worth

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- O.J. Simpson has agreed to turn over documents disclosing his net worth so they can be examined by plaintiffs' attorneys in the civil case against him.

Judge Alan Haber ordered that the information be revealed by Feb. 21. He also ruled Wednesday that both the agreement and the documents be sealed from the public until a decision is made in the wrongful death lawsuits brought by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

Simpson was acquitted in October of killing his ex-wife and her friend. The families want to assess Simpson's financial status so they can determine damages for their case.

Also Wednesday, attorneys for plaintiffs said Simpson uttered derogatory comments under his breath while his former houseguest Brian "Kato" gave his deposition.

Opposition to governors' welfare reform mounts

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A governors' welfare-reform proposal came under heavy fire Wednesday by conservatives, one of whom claimed the proposal "misses the point of what real welfare reform is all about."

"The governors' plan is simply unacceptable," wrote Rep. Jim Talent, R-Mo., in a letter to House members. "It misses the point of what real welfare reform is all about."

Five conservative groups also wrote letters criticizing the proposal, saying it "essentially chose to ignore the central problem of welfare -- out-of-wedlock births." The groups are the Christian Coalition, Traditional Values Coalition, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America.

A coalition of mostly African-American organizations, including the NAACP, wants Congress to reject the governors' proposal, contending it would cause greater poverty, especially among children.

Farrakhan's Iran visit called 'shameful'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department blasted National of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan Wednesday for meeting with radical Middle East leaders.

"It's shameful that an American citizen, much less a major religious leader in the United States, would cavort with dictators like Gadhafi and the Iranian leadership," said Nicholas Burns of the State Department.

"It's shameful that he would stand in Teheran and declare that his fellow countrymen live in a country which is the Great Satan, when those people who stood with him in Teheran took American diplomats hostage," Burns said.

Farrakhan previously had traveled to Libya. He was in Iran to help that nation celebrate the coming to power 17 years ago of the Ayatollah Khomeini.

A representative of The Nation of Islam told CNN they would not comment on the State Department remarks.

Chemical fire forces residents indoors

INSTITUTE, West Virginia (CNN) -- A fire at a chemical plant forced the closure of part of Interstate 64 in West Virginia, and residents were told they should stay in their homes for a short time Thursday morning.

As a precaution, authorities temporarily closed I-64 in both directions from Nitro to Cross Lanes for about five miles, said Danny Jones, director of Kanawaha County Emergency Services.

No injuries were reported and the fire was contained after about an hour, officials reported.

A flammable solvent used in pain thinners caught fire around 7 a.m. at a Rhone Poulenc Ag Co. plant. From 20,000 to 30,000 residents were affected by the order. It was lifted and the interstate reopened shortly after the fire was contained.

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