Serving up diplomacy for dinner

WASHINGTON — Monday night's dinner at the State Department for participants in the Mideast peace conference was a major test of protocol.

What to serve guests without offending either Muslim or kosher sensitivities?

Who should be seated next to whom when some guests shudder at the notion of even being photographed together?

That part was easy: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the host of the affair, sat front and center. On either side of her were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the most pivotal of this array of players.

"Madam Secretary, thank you for your hospitality," President Bush said as a toast, clinking glasses with Abbas and Olmert. His had water in it; theirs had iced tea.

The meal, keyed to both kosher and Muslim dietary restrictions, included main entrees of either red and yellow beet salad with mango with curried mango dressing or honey-soy glazed sea bass with cabbage, snow peas and mushrooms. Sitting at tables adorned with light-maroon tablecloths, gold flowers and gold napkins, guests also were to dine on carrot timbale, sugar snap peas, iced tea and hazelnut sponge cake.

The State Department did not respond to a request for details on the seating arrangements.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was asked Monday whether he would shake hands with Olmert and gave a curt no. "We are here for the serious business of making peace," Saud said. "It is not a sporting contest where you shake hands and let the best man win."

Olmert, for his part, declared: "If someone doesn't want to shake my hand, I won't extend mine."