Gov't source: Shalit talks continue, but at lower intensity - Haaretz

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Last update - 06:09 24/09/2007

Gov't source: Shalit talks continue, but at lower intensity

By Barak Ravid , Haaretz Correspondent

A senior government source said Sunday that Egypt continues to negotiate with Hamas for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, however the intensity of these talks has decreased.

"When the Egyptians were in Gaza [before the Hamas takeover of the strip in June], contacts were on a daily basis, and today they are a bit less," the source said.

Ofer Dekel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's special coordinator for missing soldiers, visited Cairo again a week ago.

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Meanwhile, the cabinet Sunday approved the release of 91 Palestinian prisoners ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid el Fitr. The prisoners to be released are members of Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine who do not have "blood on their hands." The original list included 100 names, but nine were removed because they did not meet the criterion.

The senior government source noted that for the first time, dozens of prisoners from Gaza were being included in the release. "When they see them coming to Gaza, it will have a great effect and we hope the families of Hamas prisoners will pressure Hamas leadership to be more flexible in the talks for Gilad Shalit," he said. The official said the main stumbling block was still the specific prisoners on the list, since Hamas has refused to compromise on the "quality" of the prisoners to be released.

The cabinet passed the early release by a vote of 16 to 6. Opposed were Shaul Mofaz (Kadima), Yitzhak Aharonovitch (Israel Beiteinu) and the four Shas ministers. Israel Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman was absent.

Following the cabinet approval, the early paroles were approved by the ministerial committee for prisoner releases.

Of the 91 prisoners, 30 are from Gaza. Justice Ministry and Shin Bet security service officials went over each name with the ministers. The final list will be posted on the Justice Ministry and Prisons Services Web sites tonight or tomorrow. The public will have 48 hours to submit objections.

Officials in the Prime Minister's Bureau said the prisoners will probably be released at roadblocks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank over the course of next week, after coordination with the office of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Kadima ministers Sunday that the release was a gesture extended every year during Ramadan. "The criteria are the same criteria, the release will not hurt the deal for Shalit's release because in any case these are not prisoners on the Hamas list," Olmert said.

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1.	Shalit? I suspect Olmert never wants to hear that name again	07:15	\|	Natallie Durson	24/09/07

2.	Who gives a hoot about what`s his name?	10:32	\|	Hannah	24/09/07

3.	Gilad Shalit joins Ron Arad, sliding slowly into memory	13:16	\|	Clickfool	24/09/07

4.	If it was Olmert son ...	15:18	\|	Gabriel	24/09/07

5.	Good morning, Jews! Posts that are salt in our wounds	15:40	\|	Richard S	24/09/07

6.	Shalit is never returning	15:59	\|	Stephen Murray	24/09/07

7.	stephen , the deutch are still racking profit...	16:27	\|	Gabriel	24/09/07

8.	Gilad Shalit	16:49	\|	levi2	24/09/07

9.	hannah	16:53	\|	rafa	24/09/07

10.	Please shut up!	19:50	\|	Paul	24/09/07

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