Saddam Hussein reverses his 10/19 decision to ration fuel and dismisses his oil minister on the grounds that miscalculation by the official led to the announcement that Iraq was facing a gasoline shortage [NYT, LAT, WP 10/29].
Knesset endorses Zamir Commission's report on Haram al-Sharif violence, but members are divided on whether any Israeli should be disciplined over the incident [NYT, WP 10/29].
Pres. Gorbachev meets in Paris with Pres. Mitterrand to discuss France's ideas for ending Gulf crisis; Gorbachev says he rejects military solution to crisis [MEM, NYT, LAT 10/29]; Yasir Arafat arrives in Baghdad to meet with Saddam [BVP 10/28 in FBIS 10/29].
Statement signed by 81 'House of Representatives Democrats strongly opposes offensive military move by U.S. against Iraq [LAT 10/29].
Thousands of Palestinians return to work in Israel after 4-day closure is lifted; some re- portedly find they have been fired because of recent attacks on Israelis in response to Haram al-Sharif shootings [LAT, MEM 10/29].
On visit to Saudi Arabia, Soviet For. Trade Minister says Gulf crisis has cost the USSR $10 billion in direct and indirect costs [MEM 10/29].