US and USSR: A new rapport

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The Geneva summit has ended in optimism but with no agreement on the "Star Wars" space defence system.

Both United States President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev spoke of the world being a "safer place" at the end of their two-day meeting in Switzerland.

The two men broke with convention and met together without advisers in discussions President Reagan dubbed the "fireside summit".

It is the first time the world's superpowers have met for six years and both countries have pledged toconveneagain in Washington and Moscow.

A news blackout placed on the proceedings was finally lifted when the leaders spoke at the closing ceremony and at separate news conferences afterwards.

Mr Reagan has remained firm in his refusal to stop research in the "necessary defence" of the Star Wars programme, despite the Soviet president saying the door should be "firmly shut" on weapons in space.

But both leaders were optimistic a new rapport between the old enemies had been reached.

"I came to Geneva to seek a fresh start in relations between the United States and the Soviet Union - and we have done this," President Reagan said.

And Mr Gorbachev told reporters at a news conference they should move away from confrontation.

"I would be so bold as to state that despite the fact there is as much weaponry as before, the world is nevertheless a safer place," he said.   

Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic (left) and US Asst Sec of State Richard Holbrooke

US President Bill Clinton announced the deal after 21 days of seemingly deadlocked negotiation at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

The plan, known as the Dayton Accord, has been agreed between the Bosnian, Serb and Croat leaders and will be enforced by 60,000 Nato troops, who will begin to arrive in the country during the next few days.

If a success, the settlement could end the most brutal conflict in Europe since the Second World War, which has resulted in the deaths of 200,000 people - mostly civilians - and left two million homeless.

Under the agreement Bosnia will remain a single state, but most power will be devolved to two new territories - a Muslim-Croat federation and a Bosnian-Serb republic.

A central authority controlling foreign, trade and monetary policy will operate from a united capital in Sarajevo.

President Clinton said the deal would allow the Bosnian people to move from the horror of war to the promise of peace.

And US Secretary of State Warren Christopher praised the accord - which is scheduled to be officially signed in December - as a "victory for all of us".

But splits have begun to appear in the fragile treaty almost as soon as it had been initialled by the leaders.

Serb delegation member Momcilo Krajisnik called it a big mistake.

"Our delegation did not accept this plan, nor did sign it, nor will it sign the maps or the plan itself," he said.

But Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic said the deal was a good beginning.

"To my people I say - this may not be a just peace, but it is more just than the continuation of war," he said. 

convene: to come together; to meet; to unite（召集）