the release of 50 prisoners is insufficient • El Nuevo Diario

The Civil Alliance for Justice and Democracy (ACJD) declared Friday that it was dissatisfied with the release of only 50 protesters from a list of 677 presented by this opposition organization, which resulted in a new deadlock in negotiations that had resumed Thursday with the promise of the government to bring out a "substantial core" of Protestants.

Civic Alliance delegate Jose Pallais said that the number of people released, because he is weak, represents a "stalemate" in the dialogue, although he relied on the presence of the special envoy of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Ángel Rosadilla, help the negotiations to resume a good course.

Pallais said informal contacts with the government will be maintained in order to break the stalemate in the negotiations. "It is necessary to continue to progress in the release of prisoners.If necessary, we will meet this weekend, there is no Saturday or Sunday at the moment, there are very delicate situations in to take into account, informal contacts are always open, informal channels still work, "he said.

The Civic Alliance has asked the government to continue to release citizens who have been demonstrating in the streets since April 18. "The number of 50, in our opinion, is not enough, it does not meet the expectations we had set for it to be an appreciable amount," said the ACJD negotiator, José Pallais, delegate by which he appears before the journalists. .

"We are not at all satisfied (the number of released) and, therefore, this Friday was devoted to all the morning and afternoon discussions (at the negotiating table), for the purpose to continue to convince the government that the public must have confidence in these results, "added Pallais.

"The delegate of the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, has been with us all day, contributing, contributing, we believe that this presence, which will continue this weekend, could have effects to get out of this new impbade, "insisted Mr. Pallais. .

"Today, 50 (Protestants) have been released, which, in addition to the 112 previously freed political prisoners, amounts to 162, still insufficient number.We need them all for free. Liberation must be increased and must not be stopped, "said Pallais.

Last Wednesday, the Civic Alliance and the government agreed to return to the negotiating table with the commitment to release a "substantial core" of Protestants, which did not happen, according to the # 39; opposition.