Bush ‘Not Pessimistic’ on Chances for Mideast Peace : Diplomacy: He vows to continue promoting a regional conference despite Baker’s apparently fruitless round of talks.

WASHINGTON — Declaring that he is “not pessimistic” in the face of intransigence from Israel and Syria, President Bush said Thursday that the United States will keep trying to promote a Middle East peace conference.

“I am determined that we are going to be the catalyst in that troubled corner of the world for peace,” Bush told reporters after receiving a detailed report from Secretary of State James A. Baker III on his apparently fruitless shuttle between Israel and its Arab adversaries.

However, Bush said, he has no immediate plan to send Baker back to the region. But he added: “That could change any minute. I am not pessimistic.” The secretary of state has been on the road for 28 days since March 7.

A senior State Department official said Bush and Baker planned their next steps during a long one-on-one conversation Wednesday. But the official refused to provide any details.

“He’s making some progress,” Bush said of Baker, “and I wish I could share with you what it is. But when you’re dealing in negotiations that are this sensitive, there are some things that are better kept on a quiet track. And I’m just hopeful that we can build on the progress that’s already been made.”

State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler added that Bush and Baker “agree that the United States should continue to do what it can to promote peace in this region.”

Nevertheless, officials who accompanied Baker on his odyssey could point to very few specific examples of progress. Although some marginal powers have endorsed Baker’s plan for a regional peace conference to be co-sponsored by the United States and the Soviet Union, the most important parties--Israel and Syria--have not.

As he shuttled between Damascus and Jerusalem, Baker sought concessions to bridge the gap between the parties. Progress apparently was measured in millimeters.

For instance, Syria and other Arab parties want a continuous peace conference that could mediate disputes between Israel and the Arabs, but Israel wants a one-time-only meeting to serve as the ceremonial beginning to later face-to-face talks.

Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy told Baker that Jerusalem would agree to reconvening the conference after a break of at least six months provided all parties agreed--in effect giving Israel a veto. Although that formula fell far short of Arab demands, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir later repudiated it as far too much of a concession.

In another example, Syria wants the conference to take place under the auspices of the United Nations, but Israel wants no U.N. role at all.

Last week, State Department officials claimed progress because Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Shareh changed the word he used in describing U.N. participation from significant to important . The officials said the switch showed new flexibility, although it remains far outside of what Israel has said it would accept.

Nevertheless, officials insist that it is far too early to abandon the effort entirely.

When Baker began his Middle East shuttle less than two months ago, Administration officials said the United States enjoys greatly enhanced credibility with both Israel and the Arabs as a result of the Persian Gulf War and the defeat of Iraq. Baker vowed to act quickly to take advantage of that “window of opportunity.”

Asked Thursday if the window is still open, Bush responded: “I don’t think it’s closing.”

Times staff writer David Lauter contributed to this report.