The Bush administration had been ready to announce its backing for the creation of a Palestinian state before the September 11th attacks against US targets, the New York Timesreported today.
Before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the Bush administration was on the verge of announcing a Middle East diplomatic plan that would include United States support for the creation of a Palestinian state, the paper said.
US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell was to have supported the idea in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first time a Republican administration has advocated a Palestinian state.
The debate of the 189-nation General Assembly has been postponed indefinitely due to the strain on New York's security services caused by the hijacked aircraft attacks on the World Trade Center.
The New York Timessaid President Bush was still considering making a forceful declaration on resolving the Middle East conflict but that the timing has not yet been decided.
President Bush has been less involved in trying to find a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict than his predecessor, Mr Bill Clinton.
But the plan Mr Powell was preparing to present included proposals for a comprehensive settlement and an US role in carrying it out, the paper said.