Prisoner release tests Mideast 'map'

[Darranar]

BEIT JALA, WEST BANK – Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas meets Friday in Washington with President Bush, the first White House visit by a Palestinian leader in three years.

The meeting, along with one slated for next week with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, is meant to convey US support for the road-map peace plan and act as a US vote of confidence in Mr. Abbas.

Palestinians say the crucial point isn't that Abbas will enter the White House, but what he leaves it with.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0725/p07s02-wome.html

[Herschel]

1. I would suggest

keeping these criminals in prison is more toward peace.

[Gimel]

2. Major Prisoner release

Ha'aretz News brief
06:30 Report: Deal being brokered between Israel, Egypt to release Azam Azam for 3000 Palestinian prisoners
http://www.haaretzdaily.com

The Arabic-language Al-shark Al-Awsat newspaper
reported Friday that Egypt and Israel are
formulating an agreement to release Azam Azam,
an Israeli prisoner held by Egypt, in exchange
for 3,000 Palestinian prisoners. Egypt has
recently denied that Israel, the United States
or the Palestinians are pressuring it to
release Azam Azam.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/322287.html

Azam has been held for a number of years on trumped up charges of spying for Israel.