Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that the U.S. vision for an accord between Israel and the "Palestinians," as formulated in Annapolis, Maryland in 2007, could still materialize by year's end.

The Annapolis conference laid a "firm foundation on which these two parties can finally end their conflict," she said.

Rice said the talks stood a better chance of success if the sides keep them discreet. "There is still time for them, in accordance with the Annapolis, to reach agreement by the end of the year and we will keep working towards that goal," she added.