FIVE YEARS OF FOLLY

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Andreotti, who arrived in Saudi Arabia last week, concentrated his talks with Saudi officials on the, possibility of an Italian-led European initiative to mediate in the Iran- Iraq war. The discussions were based on a series of consultations Andreotti carried out during the past six months with interested parties in the Gulf war including the United States, the Soviet' Union and Syria. He has also had talks with representatives of Iran and Iraq,' with whom Italy maintains strong political and economic relations.