PM SHARON'S REMARKS ON THE PRISONER RELEASE ISSUE
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Sunday, 29 May, 2005

Following are Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's remarks on the prisoner release
issue:

"As part of Israel's efforts to assist Abu Mazen and the moderate forces in
the Palestinian Authority (PA), Israel agreed in February to release 900
Palestinian prisoners without blood on their hands.

This move, like others, was discussed and approved in the ministerial forum
which approved the understandings that were reached at the Sharm el-Sheikh
summit.

Five hundred prisoners have already been released in accordance with the
government's decision; today, the Cabinet will be asked to approve the
release of 400 additional prisoners. All of them, as was stated above, are
without blood on their hands.

Israel has claims regarding the Palestinians, including very serious claims
regarding the implementation of the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings; however,
those who believe that the events of the coming months are liable to
strengthen the forces of extremist terrorism certainly understand the need
to strengthen the principal moderate element in the PA and honor our
commitments.

I want to thank Ministers Livni, Ezra, Ben-Eliezer and Naveh, Justice
Ministry Director-General Abramovitch and the security establishment
representatives for their substantial work."