U.S. Considering Int'l Force in West Bank

The U.S. is preparing a plan to station third party troops in the West Bank to secure the area after an Israeli withdrawal and before the Palestinian Authority can take over full security control, according to sources in Israeli newspaper "Jerusalem Post".

The newspaper added "The issue of how to deal with the period between when Israel leaves large swaths of the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority (PA) is able to take over control is likely to be discussed during talks President George W. Bush will hold in Jerusalem and in the PA on Wednesday and Thursday.

"US Special Envoy for Middle East Security James Jones has been assigned the task of preparing a plan on this issue within six moths".

A number of options are being considered, including the involvement of NATO troops or Jordanian and Egyptian forces.