Arafat Releases 6 Jailed Dissidents

Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat on Sunday released six intellectuals jailed for signing a manifesto that for the first time held him personally responsible for corruption in his government.

Two of the 11 intellectuals initially arrested remained in jail, including the organizer of the manifesto.

Arafat cracked down harshly on the 20 signatories to the manifesto that circulated last month, accusing them of threatening national unity. The nine lawmakers who signed enjoy immunity from arrest, but two of them--including a former mayor of Nablus--said they were attacked by Palestinian police. One of them was shot and wounded.