Lafontaine

Germany's SPD did not swing leftCommenting on events abroad should reflect some understanding of the background and context.Such understanding seems to be sadly lacking from the Nov. 17 editorial regarding the election of Oskar Lafontaine as head of the German Social Democrats (SPD).Historical inaccuracies aside (Mr. Lafontaine had not exactly ''poor-mouthed'' reunification but warned of its huge cost, with some justification as it turned out), the interpretation of the election as a turn to the left is a tad audacious.

HockeyBuffalo Sabres -- Agreed to terms with C Pat LaFontaine on a multiyear contract.St. Louis Blues -- Signed C Ron Sutter and LW Gino Cavallini to multiyear contracts.

BASKETBALL (NBA) * Boston Celtics -- Signed Ricky Calloway (guard).HOCKEY (NHL) * Buffalo Sabres -- Agreed to terms with Pat LaFontaine (center) on a multi-year contract.* St. Louis Blues -- Signed Ron Sutter (center) and Gino Cavallini (left wing) to multi-year contracts.FOOTBALL (NFL) * San Diego Chargers -- Placed Rod Bernstine (running back) on injured reserve. Activated Chris Samuels (running back) from the practice squad.COLLEGE * Georgia Tech -- Suspended Eric Bellamy (safety) from the football team for the remainder of the season for violating team rules.

BERLIN -- Helmut Kohl took his place in history as the first chancellor of a reunited Germany last night, after the first free all-German elections since 1932 swept his conservative Christian Democratic Union party to victory.Mr. Kohl had staked his political career on an unwavering commitment to swift unification of eastern and western Germany, and last night, the beaming chancellor embraced the reward."This is a day of joy," said Mr. Kohl, speaking in Bonn. "This is a great result, and we may take pride in it."

ALTHOUGH BARELY noticed during the U.S.-led storm over Serbia, Europe is seeing a new political leader emerge, one who had been discounted. Gerhard Schroeder is taking his place as the most influential head of government there.Germany's chancellor showed that when he chaired the marathon European Union summit meeting in Berlin following the collapse of the EU's commission. Under his guidance, the 15 members of the supranational economic body picked Italy's former Prime Minister Romano Prodi to head a new commission committed to efficiency and honesty.

VS. N.Y. ISLANDERS* WHEN: Tonight, 7:35.* WHERE: Nassau Coliseum.* TV/RADIO: Ch. 20; WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: The Capitals (33-34-6) will be trying to finish their season series with the Islanders with a 7-0 record. The Caps will be without defensemen Chris Felix (ankle) and Neil Sheehy (back), but right wing Dino Ciccarelli is expected to play despite a groin pull. The Caps, who are coming off Tuesday night's 2-1 loss at home to St. Louis, can thank the Islanders (23-41-10) for remaining buried in last place in the Patrick Division.

Opponent: Buffalo SabresSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7: 30TV/Radio: HTS/WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: The Capitals (1-3) start their back-to-back-game weekend tonight with Buffalo (2-4) before heading for Pittsburgh tomorrow. Washington gets LW Steve Konowalchuk, its second-leading goal scorer of last season, back for the first time since he pulled rib cartilage in a preseason game Sept. 27. He'll be teamed with his old linemate Joe Juneau and Jason Allison. Backup G Olie Kolzig, out for two weeks with mononucleosis, is likely to play at least one of the next two games.

BERLIN - When skinheads start agreeing with ultra-leftists, and a Bavarian leader suggests his countrymen in the east are dolts, one begins to wonder whether Germany is Germany anymore. Giddy, nasty and perplexing describe a national election campaign that whirled through the summer like an exotic storm of strange sound bites and curious personalities. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's bid Sunday for a third term has led to a sideshow of foibles and angry rhetoric from liberals and conservatives that have aggravated animosities between east and west, and rich and working class.

LANDOVER -- John Kordic didn't show because of an apparent relapse with an alcohol problem and Dale Hunter was serving the first of a four-game suspension for what the National Hockey League called a "vicious check" on Gord Murphy of the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 10 at the Capital Centre.But the Washington Capitals pulled themselves together in the second period and rallied for three straight goals to turn back the New York Islanders, 3-2, last night before a sellout crowd of 18,130 at the Capital Centre.

There are, among the 50 pastels, watercolors and oils on the walls at the North County Library, a young girl in blue overalls sitting on a curb near a milk jug, flowers clutched in her hands; a field lush with wildflowers; a boat tied to pilings.They are the work of art students from the Pascal Senior Center in Glen Burnie, some of whom are reviving an old hobby, others who are learning something new and still others who are looking for comfort.Juanita Downs, 73, of Glen Burnie began taking the courses after her husband died.