Informed Sources

Is Iran Up to Its Old Tricks?

Paris -- Iran, which has sought to project a more moderate image, is actually reaffirming its ties with terrorist organizations worldwide. Western intelligence sources say Iran has been strengthening its relations with such groups as the Japanese Red Army, the Lebanese Hizballah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command. Sources also say representatives of several international terrorist groups met a few weeks ago in Tehran with high-ranking Iranian intelligence officials. High on the agenda: disruption of the Middle East peace process.

Immigration Affects the License-Plate Industry

Washington -- U.S. workers often gripe that illegal aliens are taking their jobs -- and now that complaint is being made by convicts. Federal Prison Industries, a Justice Department unit that employs 16,000 federal prisoners (some make furniture for $1 an hour), told TIME that 4,500 of its workers -- about 28% -- are aliens. Inmates believe that many, if not most, are in this country illegally. Federal law prohibits the "knowing" employment of such workers, but a lawyer for FPI says it doesn't ask inmates if they're in the U.S. illegally.

I'd Gladly Pay You Tuesday for an F-15 Today

Washington -- Because of reduced oil prices and Gulf War debt, Saudi Arabia is so strapped for cash that it barely met the deadline for its latest $375 million payment on its U.S. weapons contracts. The Saudis usually pay in full two weeks in advance; this time they initially sent a check that was too small -- $50 million -- and made out to the wrong payee. The rest of the money finally arrived 96 hours before the Pentagon would have been forced to start ordering armsmakers to shut down assembly lines.