Israel frees prisoners as Powell visits

Israel released 61 Palestinian detainees today in what it called a “confidence-building measure” as US Secretary of State Colin Powell encouraged leaders on both sides to move forward on a new blueprint for Mideast peace.

The head of a Palestinian prisoners’ support group said the detainees were actually already due to be freed within the next two weeks – some as soon as Monday – and criticised the action as a cosmetic move designed to convince Powell that Israel was making concessions.