VOL. XXXIII

NO. 50

17-SEPTEMBER-1990

The Political Scene

At the Helsinki summit, the Americans received a firm re-endorsement of thesuperpowers' commitment to restore the status quo ante in the Gulf plus anunderstanding on the question of food supplies to Iraq and an agreement todisagree on the use of force in the Gulf - but it was the Soviets who came awaywith what may turn out to be the most significant concession as far as theMiddle East is concerned in the form of a pledge from the Americans...