Hinting that a new peace initiative might be under way in Gulf crisis, USSR asks UN Sec. Council to postpone approving new resolution condemning Iraq; Primakov arrives in Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein [NYT, WP 10/28].
Bush admin. officials say White House did not approve or disapprove of Lebanese and Syrian actions and believes that while Syria's ouster of Gen. Aoun in Beirut was violent, it was the only solution that offered any promise for Lebanon [NYT 10/28].
EC leaders say Iraq's selective release of foreign hostages would not erode their unity in the Gulf crisis, and say they are "prepared to consider additional steps" within UN framework if sanctions do not force Iraq out of Kuwait [NYT, LAT 10/29]; Jordanian officials say they expect to receive $1.5 billion from EC to fend off economic collapse in Jordan [MEM 10/29].