31.   Arafat in his speech urged the release of the prisoners.

32.   Elsewhere, ETA supporters put up posters urging the release of ETA prisoners.

33.   The US State Department urged the release of all jailed pro-democracy activists.

34.   Wang also urged the release of prominent activist Wang Dan.

35.   Offering to start a dialogue with PLO chief Yasser Arafat, HAMAS leader Zahhar has urged the release of all detainees and an end to the crackdown.

36.   Salem Saleh Mohamad, a leader of the southern Yemen Socialist Party, on Saturday urged the release of all southerners captured during and after the war.