Releasing terrorists as a precondition on "peace talks"

Mahmoud Abbas told a delegation from the International Union of Socialist Youth yesterday that he insists that Israel release terrorists from prison - especially those serving the longest sentences - before agreeing to "peace talks."

This is in addition to his other preconditions, such as Israel accepting the 1949 armistice lines, to freeze all "settlement activities."

When releasing terrorists is considered a precondition to "peace," one must wonder what kind of peace it could be.