U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured the Palestinians on Nov. 5 that she aims to wrap up an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal in the remaining year of the Bush administration, offering a target date that falls just short of a formal deadline.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas AP PHOTO

The Palestinians had sought such a deadline, arguing that negotiations cannot be open-ended after more than a decade of failed attempts. Israel has rejected the idea, but Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Nov. 4 that he expected "real accomplishments" within Bush's term.

In a news conference with Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he had received "encouraging signs" from Israel and the United States.

"I agree with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that there is a real possibility to achieve peace, and I say we are serious to use this opportunity to reach this historical peace," Abbas said.