Bush will meet again with the leaders today, and Secretary of State James A. Baker III will issue a statement on political issues today around noon.

The other heads of state attending the summit are: West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, French President Francois Mitterand,Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu, ItalianPrime Minister Giulio Andreotti and President ofthe European Economic Community Jacques Delors.

Yesterday's welcoming ceremonies at Rice werecut short because of intense heat, despite thefact that the university installed special airconditioners in an open field to cool the leaders.

Although the heat may have disrupted today'sactivities, the city of Houston is making nosecret of the fact that it is hot. Houstonofficials are looking to the summit to revive acity devastated by the oil bust of the early1980s, and have promoted a new slogan--"Houston'sHot"--to prove it.

Bush, too, took pride in the Southern heritageof his adopted hometown. Sunday night, Bushtreated five of the summit leaders to aTexas-style shindig that included a barbeque,armadillo racing, a rodeo and a performance of theGrand Ole Opry.

Foreign leaders seemed to take well to Bush'sSouthern hospitality. Kaifu waved his cowboy hatat the rodeo's cheering crowds, while Delorstapped his feet to the beat of the country andwestern music.

Only Thatcher seemed out of place among theworld leaders. While most of the leaders worecasual attire, Thatcher sat stiffly upright in afancy dress, applauding politely for the rodeoacts.

Only Kohl, Andreotti and Mitterand were absentfor the event, having stayed to watch the finalround of the World Cup soccer tournament