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Rice sees 'moment of opportunity'

Reconciliation is elusive as tensions rise and talks sputter.

JERUSALEM - Earthly realism collided with heavenly hopes for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday as Israel and the Palestinians dug in on differences preventing peace talks after she appealed for reconciliation at the Biblical birthplace of Jesus.

Despite an emotional visit to Bethlehem where she offered a prayer for peace - and a verbal boost from President Bush who said he was optimistic about the creation of a Palestinian state - Rice struggled for agreement.

Rice contended there is a new "moment of opportunity" to forge peace, yet she was met with an eruption of fresh tensions between the two sides over a joint statement they are to present for endorsement at a U.S.-hosted Mideast conference in November or December.

In the end, she acknowledged that the going would be tough as she wrapped up four days of intense shuttle diplomacy during which she met twice with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"I do think it is moment of opportunity, but there is very hard work ahead," Rice told reporters at a news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who's leading the Israeli negotiating team.

The Palestinians accused Israel of not being serious enough. Abbas said Israeli actions, including West Bank raids, were damaging the preconference atmosphere.

Rice did not address the Palestinian complaints, but Livni appeared annoyed when asked about them. But she also reiterated Israel's commitment to a two-state solution and said the Jewish state would make hard compromises if the Palestinians would, too.

[Last modified October 18, 2007, 01:21:44]