1.  Interim state Education Commissioner David Driscoll, like many school administrators, said he would not support a cutoff age for high school attendance.

2.  On Wednesday, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said the administration was considering backing an interim Palestinian state.

3.  Some senior administration officials believe Sharon may grudgingly accept the concept of an interim state, if only because he is fairly certain the Palestinians themselves will reject it.

4.  By Wednesday, Powell was saying an interim state was one of many ideas long under consideration.

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

6.  However, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Thursday that Mubarak did not discuss the idea of an interim Palestinian state during his U.S. visit last week.

7.  In suggesting the possibility of an interim Palestinian state, Powell left open the possibility Yasser Arafat would head it.

8.  In suggesting the possibility of an interim Palestinian state, Powell left open the chance that Arafat would head it.

9.  In suggesting the possibility of an interim Palestinian state, Powell left open the possibility Arafat would head it.

10.  Later, Powell eased back, saying an interim state was one of many ideas long under consideration.