51.   Arafat has demanded the release of all the prisoners to mark the signing of the agreement to extend Palestinian autonomy across the West Bank.

52.   Baz said it was important for the self-rule authority to succeed in managing Palestinian affairs and for autonomy to be extended on the West Bank.

53.   Both sides have blamed each other for the delay in extending autonomy, which was launched in May in the Gaza Strip and West Bank town of Jericho.

54.   Both men were heavily involved in the negotiations with the Palestinians which led to the September accord on extending autonomy on the West Bank.

55.   But he was committed to the talks with the PLO on extending Palestinian autonomy on the West Bank, Rabin said.

56.   But he criticised Israel as not moving fast enough to extend Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank.

57.   But other officials were more cautious and warned that differences remained before a full accord can be signed to extend autonomy.

58.   But he also accused Israel of placing obstacles in the way of the accord extending autonomy in the West Bank.

59.   Chairman Yasser Arafat set off for Tunis before dawn Tuesday to put the accord extending autonomy across the West Bank to the PLO executive committee, officials said.

60.   Conference president Farooq Abdullah said his party would not take part in any ballot until New Delhi extended more autonomy to Kashmir.