Time

LETTERS 4

TO OUR READERS 25

CHRONICLES 27

MILESTONES 36

ELECTIONS: Massacre in Midterm? 38

This fall, Democratic prospects go from bad to worse

CITIES: Rising from Disgrace 43

Marion Barry may achieve an unlikely political comeback

CRIME: The Murderer Within the Child 44

Gangs claim two victims -- a teenager and her 11-year-old killer

NORTHERN IRELAND: Farewell to Arms 46

Peace moves closer as the I.R.A. pledges to stop fighting

DIPLOMACY: Good Cop, Bad Cop 48

The U.S. simultaneously talks deal with Cuba, invasion of Haiti

CUBA: Pity the Poor Patriots 50

They're angrier at the system than ever, but what can they do?

FRANCE: Running With the Vichy Regime 54

A new book examines Mitterrand's fascist past -- with his help

ENVIRONMENT: Let My People Grow 56

On the eve of Cairo, the Pope attacks Al Gore over abortion

INDUSTRIES: Detroit's Sizzling New Compact Cars 58

After decades of duds, the Big Three have changed their ways

BUSINESS: Membership Tries to Regain Its Privileges 60

American Express courts clients with a new line of credit cards

SPACE: Close Call in Orbit 61

A last-ditch resupply mission bails cosmonauts out of trouble

Mystery Object: A black hole next door

COVER: The Microbes Strike Back 62

Newly emerging viruses, drug-resistant bacteria and a wide variety of

other germs are making a mockery of the notion that humans can win the

battle against infectious disease

Counterattack: How to build a better antibiotic

PRESS: The Life and Death of a Photojournalist 70

A Pulitzer Prize only sent Kevin Carter deeper into anguish

JUSTICE: The Case of the Banishing Tribe 74

Should tribal laws be used to punish juvenile delinquents?

THE ARTS & MEDIA

Television: The creator of The Civil War returns with an 18-hour

documentary on the history and meaning of baseball 76

She TV has smart, fresh comedy and deserves more attention

80

Books: The manic Son of the Circus by John Irving 82

A psychiatrist's advice for preventing teen suicide 83

Anna Quindlen asks in a novel if parents can be people 84

Cinema: Some independent films put blockbusters to shame

86

Show Business: Marlon Brando takes the money and runs 91

PEOPLE 93

ESSAY 94