RAMALLAH, West Bank - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured Palestinian leaders Thursday that a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference this fall is meant to get them closer to establishing an independent state and that Israel is ready now to discuss fundamental issues.

Senate Democrats have rather churlishly pushed Condoleezza Rice's certain approval as secretary of state over to next week. Perhaps they felt that the gracious gesture of confirming her on Inauguration Day would be interpreted by the Bush White House as a sign of weakness.

About 20 hours, two planes and one helicopter into what will be a 36-hour day on the road with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, here's what goes through my mind as I try to dictate a story from a wind-whipped tarmac: Three cups of coffee and no bathroom in sight.

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Secretary of State Condoleezza said Monday it was "time for the establishment of a Palestinian state," and described Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts as the most serious in years.

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that a year-end goal for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is still achievable, even though both sides question whether the target is realistic.

WASHINGTON - Stabilizing Iraq will be a lengthy process that won't end when violence in that country - and U.S. troop strength - are reduced, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday.

NEW YORK - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice challenged former President Clinton's claim that he did more than many of his conservative critics to pursue Osama bin Laden, and she accused him of leaving no comprehensive plan to fight al-Qaida.

CAIRO, Egypt - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Islamic militants to cooperate with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, saying the Hamas government cannot govern in the region.

OTTAWA - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested Tuesday that Israel must loosen controls at border crossings to allow freer passage for Palestinians and economic development in areas that would one day be an independent Palestinian state.

July 23, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, making an election-season visit to Iraq, said Thursday she will tell its leaders they have limited time to settle political differences spurring sectarian and insurgent violence.

BLACKBURN, England - Heckled during a visit to Washington's closest ally, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday the United States has made thousands of mistakes but is pursuing worthy goals in Iraq.

SANTIAGO, Chile - Three decades after the United States tried to oust a socialist president in Chile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday's inauguration of a socialist leader represents the triumph of democracy over a troubled history.

February 9, 2005

WASHINGTON - President Bush promoted his most trusted foreign policy adviser to Secretary of State on Tuesday, tapping Condoleezza Rice to replace warrior-turned-diplomat Colin Powell as part of a sweeping second-term Cabinet overhaul.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealed to allies Friday to do more to help Afghanistan, and placed a hefty U.S. aid increase on the table as an incentive.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Bush dispatched America's top two foreign policy officials to Iraq on Wednesday in separate, surprise missions calculated to demonstrate a strong show of support for the country's emerging new government.

KIEV, Ukraine - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought Wednesday to clarify U.S. policy on harsh interrogation methods, saying no U.S. personnel may use cruel or degrading practices at home or abroad.