Latin American specialists in the Faculty ofArts and Sciences--some of whom maintaincorrespondences with Salinas--yesterday claimedthat they knew nothing about the plans of theformer Mexican leader.

Gutman Professor of Latin American Affairs JohnH. Coatsworth said that he'd heard rumors ofSalinas's arrival, but denied knowing of anyformal plans.

The past several months have been particularlyrough for the former Mexican president.

Salinas himself has not been implicated in RuizMassieu's murder. But he reportedlypleaded--unsuccessfully--with Zedillo not toarrest his brother Raul.

And Salinas staged a hunger strike this monthuntil the government cleared him of any wrongdoingin the 1994 assassination of former presidentialcandidate Luis Donaldo Colosio.

Finally, Salinas has been blamed for thecurrent economic crisis in Mexico, prompted by thedramatic devaluation of the Mexican peso late lastyear.

This story was complied with wiredispatches.