VOL. XLI

No. 31

3-August-1998

The Political Scene

With Washington standing back and hoping the two parties would sortthemselves out directly, the Israelis and Palestinians have again failed to bridge thegaps on the long-delayed West Bank withdrawal and clear the way for final statusnegotiations. Amidst mounting warnings of dire consequences if a breakthrough is notachieved soon, the Franco-Egyptian proposal for a new international conference is startingto firm up, but offers no realistic...