SEINE OF TROUBLE? WORLD CUP EXEC BLASTS FRENCH SUPPORT

          World Cup Organizing Committee co-President Michel
     Platini was quoted in a French paper as saying that French
     officials aren't providing enough support to the event,
     according to the AP's Barry Wilner.  Platini: "France has
     done what it had to do, but nothing more.  Take the big
     party in Paris on 'Day 1,' for example. Can you believe that
     it's been hard to get authorizations?  They don't give a
     damn."  Platini said the opening festivities cost $8.3M to
     organize.  In other news, Wilner reports that the strike by
     Air France pilots "shows no signs of ending soon and is
     certain to disrupt the World Cup."  Wilner adds that French
     authorities have "continued their vigilant campaign against
     terrorist threats to disrupt the event" (AP/SALT LAKE
     TRIBUNE, 6/9).  In L.A. Helene Elliott previews the event
     and wonders, "Will it come to be know as the most
     entertaining World Cup ever staged ... or merely the most
     star-crossed tournament because of problems with hooligans
     or terrorism?" (L.A. TIMES, 6/9).  In Chicago, Bonnie
     DiSimone previews the host country's efforts: "Since they
     landed this event, Parisians are determined to have it
     reflect well of them.  If there is one thing the fractious
     French hold as a collective societal value, it is a horror
     of being embarrassed" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/9).