Strikers release three police held since Thursday

Three policemen  who had been  held  by the striking banana workers in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro,  since Thursday were released  on Saturday afternoon said Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitri.

Most anti-riot police  had been withdrawn and the city wasmore peaceful, thus encouraging start talks between the government and banana union members with the mediation of a priest, said Papadimitriu, who is leading government negotiators.