ITALY: Idealism on the Rocks

It took a bit of doing, but at last it had come about—a Mediterranean peace conference at which Europeans, Israelis and Arabs would demonstrate their unity through "their common faith in one God." For months La Pira, 54, the dedicated but visionary former mayor of Florence, who once brought his city to the edge of bankruptcy by his lavish program of public works, had worked night and day to compile his volatile guest list. When the conference began in Florence's 600-year-old Palazzo Vecchio. just about everyone invited was there, including eleven ambassadors. Even Italy's Premier Amintore Fanfani and President...