1.  After elections, Bush promised international support for a provisional Palestinian state until a final negotiated peace settlement can be achieved.

2.  Bush said he envisioned a provisional Palestinian state until full, permanent statehood could be achieved, perhaps in three years.

3.  But Arab governments have in recent days rejected the idea of a provisional state attached to only a vague timetable.

4.  Last week, Palestinian officials said Bush was expected to endorse a provisional Palestinian state that would have UN membership, conduct foreign relations and sign treaties.

5.  On Monday, Bush said the United States would support the creation of a provisional Palestinian state, but only if Arafat is replaced.

6.  The bombing also hardened Israeli opposition to a provisional Palestinian state that the Bush administration is expected to propose this week as part of a new peace initiative.

7.  The cornerstone of the Bush initiative remains the provisional state, an idea unprecedented in diplomatic history.

8.  The President said that if the Palestinians carry out the requested reforms, the United States would back a provisional Palestinian state.

9.  The president is expected to call for the establishment of a provisional Palestinian state, whose temporary boundaries would be adapted at an international conference in September.

10.  Unorthodox as it may be, a provisional Palestinian state might just be the incentive Palestinians need to turn away from violence.