Informed Sources

U.N. Peacekeepers and AIDS

NEW YORK -- With all the controversies over the role and effectiveness of UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS, one issue that has received scant attention, and that U.N. officials are loath to discuss, is the presence of AIDS among the peacekeeping forces. The militaries of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are known to have HIV infection rates as high as 80%, and many of these countries, which may receive a few hundred dollars a month for each soldier, send troops on peacekeeping missions. A U.N. official explains that "we do not discriminate between black, white or AIDS-infected people." But he goes on to say, "AIDS is a complicated issue. We need the troops."

Rock Stars Share Shameful Secret

NEW YORK -- Some of the top stars in music have indulged in a guilty rock pleasure. Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz and the speed-metal band Megadeth, among other unlikely devotees, have recorded cover versions of songs by the band KISS, perhaps the schlockiest combo in rock history, for a tribute album that is due to be released early next year.

Clinton's $20 Billion Promise

WASHINGTON -- To take some of the sting out of military-base closings, President Bill Clinton has announced that the Defense Department will pay for cleaning up environmental pollution at all the bases that are being shut down. The President didn't put a price tag on this, but Pentagon insiders say the cost of this gesture will be enormous -- more than $20 billion over the next decade. Nine of the bases slated for closure are Superfund toxic-waste sites, meaning they are among the most contaminated areas in America. There are also more than 500 less polluted sites on these bases, contaminated with toxic pollutants, radioactive substances or unexploded munitions.