"Frankly, it's time for the establishment of a Palestinian state," the U.S. Secretary of State announced at a joint press-conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, West Bank.
"We frankly have better things to do than invite people to Annapolis for a photo op," she said.
"The United States sees the establishment of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution as absolutely essential for the future, not just of Palestinians and Israelis but also for the Middle East and indeed to American interests," she said. "That's really a message that I think only I can deliver."
On Sunday, Rice held a first round of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said he did not consider a joint declaration a prerequisite for the conference. The Palestinians in turn said the parties concerned were capable of working out a framework document prior to the summit.
Abbas said he expected the conference to pave the way for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks with a set deadline for completion.
The peace conference, to be held in the city of Annapolis, in the U.S. state of Maryland, was first pushed forward by the U.S., and is expected to result in a framework agreement outlining the principles for a peace settlement. The Israeli and Palestinian sides have very different visions of the document however, a factor which threatens the success of the conference.
The Palestinians want a detailed agreement specifying each party's commitment concerning key points, such as future borders, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, and Israeli settlements, whereas the Israelis want a more general guideline, preferably a declaration of intentions.
Talks concerning a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians were resumed when Abbas broke with Hamas following the seizure of control of the Gaza Strip by the Islamist group, leaving Abbas and his Fatah forces in control of only the West Bank.
The United States would like other key Arab states to attend the conference, but Arab nations are skeptical and have demanded more details.
