ITALY: Trying to Take Wing

When Treasury Minister Emilio Colombo became Premier last August after one of Italy's chronic Cabinet imbroglios, a cynical Roman politician ventured a prediction: "Colombo can't last through autumn. This may be precisely why he will." What he meant was that after five governments in 27 months, warring factions in the four-party governing coalition might let things ride for a while. If Colombo, too, were to topple, the result might be expensive and uncertain national elections.

After six months on the job, Colombo, who flies off this week for a five-day U.S. visit...