Guarded welcome for Israeli moves to relax grip on the occupied territorie

[Darranar]

As Ariel Sharon, Israel's Prime Minister, prepared to fly to Washington for talks with George Bush, his cabinet voted yesterday to free 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad prisoners as well as 400 from the mainstream Al Fatah movement still awaiting release.

The army began dismantling roadblocks and easing trade and traffic in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Bulldozers removed the Surda checkpoint north of Ramallah, and the Ein Arik barrier west of the city. Public transport has been restored between Nablus and Jenin. Soldiers also opened a road from Hebron to the south and between Bethlehem and three satellite villages. The government authorised 4,000 workers and businessmen and 500 Christians to enter Israel from Bethlehem. In Gaza, 18,000 workers were given permits to work in Israel, if they can find a job.

The moves were designed to sweeten the atmosphere for Mr Sharon at the White House and to gain support for Abu Mazen, the Palestinian Prime Minister. Palestinians say Israel has 6,000 prisoners, including 351 under 18 and 75 women.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=428188