1.   Still, Clinton and his senior aides say their intention was not to encourage Palestinian statehood aspirations, and the issue remains to be considered in negotiations with Israel.

2.   Still, Clinton and his senior aides say their intention was not to encourage Palestinian statehood aspirations and the issue remains to be considered in negotiations with Israel.

3.   The comment was interpreted by Palestinians and even Israelis as U.S. recognition of Palestinian statehood aspirations.

4.   This deprives him of barnstorming the Middle East and Europe in search of support for the Palestinians and their territorial and statehood aspirations.