1.  Lawmakers in Congress have introduced proposals that would make it harder to impose economic sanctions, and President Clinton has taken steps to exempt food and medicine from sanctions.

2.  Among controversial points being discussed are value-added tax for currently exempt food and medicines, and a proposal to tax capital gains.

3.  They include a ban on vital oil exports and a freeze of overseas assets, but exempt food and medicine.

4.  Treasurer Peter Costello has declared that he would scrap tax reform altogether rather than exempt food.