11.  On Wednesday, en route to British Columbia, Powell eased back, saying an interim state was one of many ideas long under consideration.

12.  Secretary of State Colin Powell said the U.S. administration is considering establishment of an interim Palestinian state and left open the possibility Yasser Arafat would head it.

13.  Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday the United States is considering establishment of an interim Palestinian state and left open the possibility Yasser Arafat would head it.

14.  The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot reported that in their talks, Bush expressed support for an interim Palestinian state, and Sharon strongly opposed it.

15.  He said that if they did so they could expect US support for an independent interim Palestinian state, which could be created within three years.

16.  Powell was also vague on the type of institutions which an interim Palestinian state would have, stressing the need for sweeping reform of the current Palestinian Authority.