Ambassador Faces Toughest Challenge He Faced Outlaws; Now He Encounters Congress, Public

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OVER THE past three years, Bill Richardson has negotiated successfully with some of the world's most notorious outlaws, from Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to Cuban President Fidel Castro and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

But as he takes up his duties this week as the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Richardson has a job that is tougher still - persuading America's allies, the U.S. Congress and the American public that the United Nations can, should and will be reformed.

"Basically I have to make a transition from dealing with our rogue enemies to dealing with our allies," Richardson said. Richardson presented his credentials Tuesday at the …