ANNAPOLIS, MD. — Israeli and Palestinian leaders formally agreed at an international conference Tuesday to launch their first set of peace negotiations in seven years, but failed in tortuous private discussions to resolve key questions over the content and structure of the talks.
As a result, a day that began with handshakes and hopes for peace ended with undispelled doubts over the prospect for success of the renewed effort to end decades of strife in the Middle East.
Palestinian and Israeli representatives each said they were satisfied with the outcome of the conference, but there were clear indications that the Israelis came away with a greater share of what they were seeking. Both the Bush administration's approach to talks and a joint declaration negotiated by the Israelis and Palestinians leaned toward Israeli positions.
Among world dignitaries assembled for the conference, some urged a more active U.S. role while Arab countries demanded greater flexibility by Israel. Saudi representatives called for a broader peace process for the region to settle long-standing differences between Israel and its neighbors.
President Bush opened the conference at the U.S. Naval Academy by reading aloud a declaration that was completed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas only minutes before the conference began.
In the statement, called a "joint understanding," Israelis and Palestinians pledged to begin negotiations next month, with a goal of creating a Palestinian state before the end of Bush's term.
"We agree to immediately launch good-faith bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty, resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues without exception," said the declaration, which Bush read with Olmert and Abbas standing at his side.
The conference, attended by more than 50 countries and world organizations, was convened to provide the blessing of world powers -- including key Arab nations -- for renewal of a peace effort that had remained nearly moribund since President Clinton failed to help complete a settlement at the end of his presidency.
Protests back home
Leading up to the gathering, thousands of Jewish settlers protested in Jerusalem while Palestinian supporters of the militant Hamas movement staged rallies in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. One Palestinian protester was shot and killed in the West Bank town of Hebron as Palestinian riot police tried to break up demonstrations.
