Rice: Peace deal still attainable by year's end

The year-end goal for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is still "achievable," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday, even as both sides question whether such a goal is realistic.

Speaking at a news conference in the West Bank town of Ramallah after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Rice also urged Israel not to prejudice a final deal - a reference to continued Israeli settlement activity.

And in unusually pointed criticism, Rice suggested the Israeli government could do more to improve life for West Bank residents.

Rice and Abbas in Ramallah (Photo: AFP)

President Abbas said during the press conference that negotiations with Israel were at an advanced stage. "Ninety percent of the talks have been completed," he stated.

Rice arrived in the region late Saturday in her latest mission to advance the troubled talks.

Israel maintains the Palestinians cannot be relied on to provide adequate security. And both sides have expressed skepticism about reaching a deal by the end of the year.

For all the problems, Rice said in Ramallah, "We continue to believe it is an achievable goal to have an agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis by the end of the year."

A major bone of contention has been the hundreds of Israeli roadblocks in the West Bank that cripple travel and hurt the economy. Israel says the travel restrictions are needed to protect settlements and prevent militants from entering Israel.

"We are trying to look not just at quantity but also quality of improvements," she said, adding that she has held "extensive discussions" with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on the matter. Barak has to authorize any roadblock removals.