[Ha'aretz] Ze'ev Schiff - On several occasions, reports have announced the imminent release of kidnapped Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit. However, the list of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel who are to be released in an exchange is a major obstacle to the conclusion of the negotiations. It is obvious that Mahmoud Abbas has no relevant information about Shalit, and that his ability to influence the negotiations is nearly nonexistent. European representatives announced that unless Hamas takes a positive step, which must be expressed first of all in Shalit's release, there is no chance for a thaw in the European position on relations with the Palestinian unity government.
2007-04-10 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive