THE WEEK THAT WAS // THE WEEK AHEAD

The week that was

Clinton protects trees: Standing beneath the shade and occasionalsheddings of a giant sequoia on Saturday, President Clinton created anew national monument that will further protect the majestic treesthat soar to 300 feet and live up to 3,000 years. Clinton designated328,000 acres of the Sierra Nevada as the Giant Sequoia NationalMonument. The area includes about half of the 70 remaining groves ofgiant sequoias.

Spy chiefs deny snooping on Americans: America's two topintelligence officers swore that the National Security Agency and theCIA do not spy on Americans. Lt. Gen. Michael Hayden told HouseIntelligence Committee members that the National Security Agency hasneither the means nor the desire to sift through the conversations, e-mail and communications of U.S. citizens. Media reports, particularlyin Europe, have alleged that a spy satellite network called Echelondoes just that. Hayden would neither confirm nor deny the network'sexistence but firmly denied any illegal activity. George Tenet, thedirector of the CIA, also disputed reports that the National SecurityCouncil collects industrial secrets from European companies on behalfof U.S. firms.

Teacher recommendations add up: The National Council of Teachersof Mathematics recommended that lessons begin in preschool and thatall students, not only those bound for college, take four years ofmath in high school. Other recommendations include allowing the useof calculators at all age levels and requiring students to befamiliar with algebra and geometry by the eighth grade.

Flag plan displeases NAACP: The South Carolina Senate voted toremove the Confederate flag from atop the State House, but it wasn'tenough to satisfy the NAACP, which is conducting a travel boycott ofthe state. That's because under the Senate-approved plan, the CivilWar symbol would move to a memorial on the State House grounds.

Presidential runoff due in Peru: President Alberto Fujimori failedto win 50 percent of the vote in last week's election, forcing arunoff in May or June against Alejandro Toledo, a former World Bankeconomist. Fujimori said his government had no intention ofsabotaging Toledo's campaign during the runoff, despite concerns byinternational monitors about smear attacks and dirty tricks againstFujimori's election opponents during the first round.

Ramseys balk at polygraph tests: The parents of JonBenet Ramseycontinued to resist taking polygraph tests in the investigation oftheir daughter's murder. John and Patsy Ramsey don't want the teststo be administered by examiners either from the Boulder, Colo.,police or the FBI because both agencies are involved in theinvestigation. Police said they could find an FBI examiner who knowsnothing about the case.

The week ahead

Arafat to meet Clinton, Albright: With meetings between Israeliand Palestinian negotiators finished for the month, Palestinianleader Yasser Arafat is scheduled to meet with President Clinton andSecretary of State Madeleine Albright in Washington on Thursday.Israel-Syria talks remain frozen.

Holy weeks for 2 faiths: Christians mark the final days beforeJesus' crucifixion beginning with Palm Sunday this weekend. NextSunday is Easter Sunday. Jews start their weeklong observance ofPassover at sundown Wednesday.

Israel to free 13 Lebanese: Israel on Monday is to free 13Lebanese prisoners who were being held as bargaining chips to tradefor a missing Israeli air force officer. The Israeli Supreme Courtordered their release.

Pinochet hearing to open: Wednesday is the first day of a Courtof Appeals hearing in Chile on a judge's request to lift AugustoPinochet's congressional immunity so the former dictator can be triedon human rights charges. The hearing is expected to last severaldays.

Polls, primary won't change anything: Republicans conduct strawpresidential polls in Nevada on Friday and Saturday, despite the factthat the nomination has been nailed down by George W. Bush. TheAlaska Democratic primary is Saturday, even though Al Gore can't bebeat for the nomination.