Annapolis Primed for Peace Talks

"My sense is that the majority of our guests are here from some business related to the conference," he said.

Beiderman said that the hotel decided "to do our little part" for the peace effort by arranging a special turndown service for guests: a homemade sugar cookie with white icing, "in the shape of a dove with an olive branch."

In case the doves are too subtle, each cookie will be accompanied by a keepsake card bearing lyrics from John Lennon's paean to peace, "Imagine."

The conference "sort of puts us on the global map for a couple days," said Bob Burdon, president of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. "So long term, that's going to be good for the economy."

But Annapolis's moment in the spotlight will be short.

After White House meetings and a State Department dinner tonight in Washington, the conference will formally open tomorrow morning in Annapolis.

Bush, Olmert and Abbas will meet in the morning, then attend a lunch hosted by Rice. A series of plenary sessions are to be held in the afternoon, followed by a meeting with reporters. After that, Annapolis's role will end. Any further meetings for the conference would be held in Washington, Besanceney said.

Officials said there are no guarantees that motorists in Washington and Annapolis will not be inconvenienced as delegations move about. "I certainly can't promise that," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

"Just when you have this number of people descending on one place in a restricted period of time, there are probably going to be some disruptions," he added. "We're doing everything we can to make sure that any disruptions are minimal."

The State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Secret Service are working closely with state and local officials, he said.

"The Yard," as the academy grounds are known, will be closed to the public today and tomorrow. "We have a lot of confidence in our colleagues from the Coast Guard and the Navy," Besanceney said. "I'm sure they'll have their game faces on Tuesday."

The U.S. Homeland Security Department said last week that it had found no reports of credible terrorist threats to the conference but urged state and local police to be on alert.

The Annapolis Police Department issued a statement saying it was "well experienced" at handling major events, including dealing with the mobs of visitors that come for Navy football games and an annual boat show. "While there are never any guarantees, the public should be advised that we feel we have taken and will take all reasonable steps to ensure the rights, safety and interests of all parties affected," the statement said.

Among those breathing easier, doubtlessly, is Bill the Goat.

The Naval Academy's mascot has occasionally been kidnapped by Army cadets during the traditional hijinks leading up to the annual Army-Navy football game, scheduled for Saturday in Baltimore.

"This would be a pretty bad time for somebody to try to grab the goat, I would think," Besanceney said.