In a symbol of fragile hopes for this week's Middle East peace conference at Annapolis, one Palestinian shopkeeper is selling souvenir mugs for the event -- complete with instructions to smash them if talks break down. Under a dove and olive branch motif, the mugs carry the message in English: "Please keep this souvenir, but in case of the conference's failure; you are only asked to break the mug".Tareq Abu Dayya, who runs a gift shop in the Gaza Strip, said he meant the mugs to symbolise hope the conference could lead to a Palestinian state but also his low expectations for success: "If the conference doesn't succeed, then the poor citizen can do nothing but break this mug. End of story," said Abu Dayya, who reported brisk sales of mugs at a hefty $2.50 apiece.
Abu Dayya said customers should, however, turn to the White House if they were not satisfied, with the talks -- or the mug. He said: "They can blame Bush and ask him for a refund."