U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, bowing to criticism, said yesterday he will sell his estimated $90 million-plus stake in Alcoa, the aluminum giant he headed for 13 years. O’Neill made clear he wanted to avoid any perception of impropriety since President George W. Bush was drawing him into almost every issue that the government is involved in. Earlier, O’Neill had pledged to take no part in any policy discussions that might affect Alcoa — a tall order, since it is a $23 billion conglomerate with operations in 26 countries, dealing with aircraft and automakers, rail and shipping companies, among other interests around the globe. Wall Street was reluctant to criticize him outright, since few were willing to risk alienating such a powerful figure in the Bush administration, but there has been quiet support in the financial industry for a New York Times editorial, which earlier this month questioned O’Neill’s decision to keep the Alcoa shares.

The CIA had a secret weapon at the Bay of Pigs: the ability to plant propaganda directly on international news wire services — this according to a newly declassified CIA [headlines cut off by Pacifica Foundation announcement]

— of sheltering rebels. Two helicopters strafed the thickly forested hillsides. Hundreds of refugees streamed across the border into Kosovo early Monday. Many told of Macedonian helicopters firing on them as they fled their homes. Meanwhile, NATO and European Union officials were heading to Macedonia later today for talks on the crisis. They plan to reiterate their support for the Macedonian government but also urge moderation and restraint.