VOL. XLII

No. 38

20-September-1999

The Political Scene

Unsurprisingly, Israel and the Palestinians have kickedoff final status negotiations by articulating agendas and objectives thatdiffer sharply. In Algeria, President Abdelaziz Bouteflikas plans to end thecountrys civil strife have been massively endorsed in a referendum. The factthat Iraq chaired an Arab league foreign ministers meeting in Cairo does notappear to herald any immediate moves towards ending its regional isolation.

Palestinians...