21.   Touching on another sore point, Yassin called on the Palestinian Authority to release Hamas activists from its jails and to root out corruption within its ranks.

22.   Two ethnic Albanian activists have been released from prison under a much-debated amnesty law took effect, media reported Saturday.

23.   As US officials pressed Beijing Wednesday to release detained activist Harry Wu, several congressmen threatened to seek retaliation against China if the US citizen is not returned home.

24.   Aung San Suu Kyi said four activists had been released as of Thursday.

25.   The news came as US defence minister William Perry visited Beijing which on Monday released labour activist Liu Nianchun.

26.   LBH lawyer Bambang Wijoyanto told AFP later Monday that the detained activists had been released.

27.   Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said he would release human rights activist Iyad Sarraj, who was jailed last week for sharply criticizing Arafat and his government.

28.   Police said the activists were released after being held briefly for questioning.

29.   Serious political and economic retaliation could befall China if detained activist Harry Wu, a U.S. citizen, is not released immediately, several U.S. Congressmen warned Wednesday.

30.   The activists were later released when the vessel, The Arneb, left on its voyage across the North Sea.