ARABS ASSURED OF NO CHANGE IN U.S. POSITION

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The Bush administration has assured Arab states thatIsrael's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the WestBank would not harm Palestinian demands for the return of refugees to theirhomes in what became the Jewish state. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and his aides have been briefingArab leaders on the U.S. endorsement of the Israeli withdrawal plan. U.S.officials said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposed withdrawal providesthe Palestinians with a state as well as thousands of Israeli homes.