51.   US President George W. Bush said the United States will support creation of a provisional Palestinian state once Palestinians enact political and security reforms.

52.   One possible initiative floated by different parties is the proclamation of a provisional Palestinian state.

53.   Palestinians have expressed reservations about the plan for a provisional state.

54.   Sharon earlier rejected the idea being floated, including in the United States, to declare at least a provisional Palestinian state pending negotiations towards a final settlement .

55.   The Palestinian minister dismissed the notion of the creation of a provisional Palestinian state, which Bush, according to some accounts, may be advocating.

56.   The Palestinians are also wary of reports out of Washington that Bush was mulling the establishment of a provisional Palestinian state, an idea first advanced by Powell.