VOL.XXXIXNo.65/66

23/30December 1996The Political SceneThe US has finally roused itself from its post-electiontorpor and criticized Israel's drive to expand settlements, albeit incustomarily tentative terms. The Europeans have been more forthright, butthe Arabs appear to doubt both the Americans' will and the Europeans'ability to restrain the Israelis. The Americans are also sending specialenvoy Dennis Ross back to the region in an attempt to breakthe deadlock between the Palestinians and...