Informed Sources

Inman's Other (Imaginary?) Enemy

When BOBBY RAY INMAN withdrew himself from consideration for Secretary of Defense, he cited columnist William Safire and Senator Bob Dole, among others, as the causes of his vexation. But there was one antagonist he didn't mention: Senator TRENT LOTT. A source familiar with Inman's thinking says Lott was one of the chief reasons why Inman pulled out; he believed the Mississippi Republican was marshaling forces on the Senate Armed Services Committee against him. Lott, however, says he was for Inman all along.

Is Ron Brown Dreaming of Bigger Things?

Secretary of Commerce RON BROWN has always longed to be Secretary of State. With old rumors persisting that current Secretary Warren Christopher's position is shaky, Brown seems to be building his resume. Instead of seeing simply trade ministers on his trips abroad, Brown has in the past few months met with a series of dignitaries and heads of state, such as Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk.

Iran Goes Mine Shopping

Pentagon officials are distressed over reports that Iran is trying to buy a sophisticated underwater mine from China. The rocket-propelled antiship mine, dubbed an EM53, can be planted on the sea floor and then propelled by rocket engine toward a target ship.