He also ordered that ranches and houses belonging to the bodyguards and situated mainly on the Baghdad outskirts be refurbished as alternative locations for high-level meetings in case of war.

Mahmud has also ordered that fuel tanks be constructed in various areas within reach of security services, special forces, and emergency troops.

A state of high alert, declared last month, is still in force. Residents say the rising tension and talk of imminent air strikes have led to a steep rise in prices of essential foodstuffs and commodities. In addition, Saddam's guards have banned boats and ferries from sailing in the Tigris River close to the main presidential complex. (David Nissman)

FOREIGN DELEGATIONS ARRIVE FOR BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL FAIR.
Baghdad Television reported on 29 October that foreign delegations had begun to arrive forthe opening of the Baghdad International Fair, opening on 1 November., Moroccan Minister of State for Foreign Trade Abd-Al-Karim Al-Atiq has arrived in Baghdad with an accompanying delegation, and a delegation of the Egyptian holding companies led by Adil Al-Shahawi, manager of the Holding Company for Food Industries, arrived on the same plane as Al-Atiq.

Also coming to the fair are 12 Bahraini commercial and industrial companies for the first time in more than 10 years. Bahrain's participation is being coordinated by the newly formed Bahrain Committee for Trading Promotion. Samih Rajab, committee vice president, said: "This is a very important exhibition for us because it comes after a 10-year absence from the Iraqi market. We are looking forward to establishing new contracts as part of the oil-for-food and