VOL. XXXIX

No. 4

23 October 1995

The Political Scene

The PLO and its Islamic rival Hamas appear to be on the point of signing an agreement bringing Hamas in from the cold. If they do, it will be a volte-face by Hamas, a victory for PLO Chairman Yasir 'Arafat, a shot in the arm for the peace process and an electoral gift for Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Iraq's referendum produced results which were embarrassing even by regional standards. France is being inexorably dragged...