Cable briefs

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 10

Cable briefs

Release reaction

A Chilean court’s decision to release Gabriel Valdes and five other men from detention has raised the prospect of more anti-Govern-ment demonstrations, said diplomats. They described the court’s ruling as saying in effect that peaceful dissent was not a crime.—Santiago. Patrol clash A Lebanese Army patrol has clashed with Druse Muslims outside a mountain township, dealing a serious blow to the Army’s hopes of replacing Israeli forces in the battle-torn Shouf Mountains. Residents and Israeli troops, who have military control of the area, said that four Druse were killed or seriously wounded. The Lebanese Army said that four of its men were wounded, one seriously, but made no mention of Druse casualties.—Beirut. Holidays for Nazis Two Nazi war criminals serving life imprisonment for mass murder will get holidays from jail, the Federal Constitutional Court has ruled. The two, aged 78 and 79, convicted resoec-

tiveiy of murdering more than 14,000 and 475 people, were entitled to holidays because they might one day be freed. Every prisoner serving a life sentence should have the chance to prepare himself for his release, the Court ruled. They had apppealed to the Constitutional Court after a court at Frankfurt had refused to grant them holidays. Under West German law every life-long prisoner has the right to request a 21-day holiday each year after .more than 10 years in prison. — Karlsruhe.

Extradition pact

Ireland and the United States have signed an extradition treaty designed to make it more difficult for wanted fugitives such as guerrillas and drug smugglers from one country to take refuge in the. other. The treaty, signed after six years of negotiations, does not cover Northern Ireland, which is administered by the British Government. But Rondon has an extradition treaty with the United States and can seek the return of suspected criminals wanted in Northern Ireland. — Washington.