Annapolis Conference Begins With Religiously-Compliant Dinner Menu

Last night, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted a dinner in Washington for participants in the Annapolis Middle East Peace Conference. President Bush attended and spoke of his commitment to the peace process. The AP reports that the dinner menu was planned to carefully comply with both Jewish and Muslim dietary restrictions. The world leaders offered a toast using non-alcoholic beverages. Entree choices were either red and yellow beet salad with mango and curried mango dressing, or honey-soy glazed sea bass with cabbage, snow peas and mushrooms. Last week the AP reported that attendees who wish to explore the city of Annapolis will find little in the way of kosher food, and only a bit more that is Halal-compliant. Annapolis has no kosher or halal markets.