21.   Even before the speech, Bush administration officials had floated the idea of a provisional state, drawing skepticism from Arabs.

22.   He called for a new Palestinian leadership and an end to terrorism, holding out the prospect of a provisional Palestinian state.

23.   Israel was pleased with the speech, Israeli Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin said, but rejected the concept of a provisional Palestinian state.

24.   Israeli Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin said Israel was pleased with the speech but rejected the concept of a provisional Palestinian state.

25.   Israeli Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin was pleased with the speech, but he rejected the concept of a provisional Palestinian state.

26.   Israeli Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin said Israel was pleased with the speech, but rejected the concept of a provisional Palestinian state.

27.   Many Bush advisers doubt that standards for a provisional state could be met any time soon.

28.   Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian officials were dismissive of a reported plan under consideration by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush to create a provisional Palestinian state.

29.   Meanwhile, Palestinian officials were dismissive of a reported plan under consideration by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush to create a provisional Palestinian state.

30.   Monday, Mubarak denied reports in the Egyptian press that he had discussed a provisional Palestinian state and timetable to achieve it during his recent talks with Bush.