MIDEAST UPDATE

The chairman of the nation’s association of import car dealers warned at an Atlanta convention that the Persian Gulf war may boost protectionist sentiment in Washington and spawn a backlash by consumers who believe Germany and Japan are lagging in their support for the allies.

Because some service members failed to realize that AT&T;’s offer of free calls home was temporary, a number of military families are facing phone bills totaling hundreds of dollars. This is the first war in which front-line troops have access to telephones. Their families are averaging about $50 a month in charges from Saudi Arabia, according to AT&T.;

MCI, meanwhile, is offering free Valentine calls home to U.S. troops for 24 hours starting midnight Feb. 13.

People holding Iraqi property frozen by the U.S. trade embargo or wishing to assert claims against the Iraqi government must file reports with the Treasury Department by March 1 or within 15 days of the acquisition of the property, whichever is later, Treasury officials said.