Mideast go-between sees 'strong reasons for peace'

Former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme left Baghdad apparently satisfied with the first stage of his United Nations mission to try to end the two-month-old Gulf war between Iraq and Iran. Mr. Palme, speaking after two days of talks here and three days in Tehran, said: "Objective reasons for peace are very strong."

He cautioned, however, against expecting any rapid resolution of the conflict , which has taken thousands of lives, halted oil supplies from Iraq and Iran, and spread bitterness and divisiveness through the Middle East.