Govt unrelenting on talks with rebels in Assam Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:21 PM IST[image: 136]
http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-06-12T191825Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_India-302764-1.xml&archived=False NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The central government is unrelenting over holding peace talks with separatist rebels in Assam, reasserting tough conditions despite unabated violence, activists said on Tuesday. "The government wants communication from the ULFA leaders expressing their willingness for talks without condition," said Indira Goswami, head of a group of Assamese intellectuals who are pushing for peace in the state. New Delhi's position was stressed by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, who held talks with the group after it urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to resume peace talks with the rebels, Goswami told a news conference. ULFA, or the United Liberation Front of Asom, is fighting for the independence of the oil- and tea-rich state since 1979 and the insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people. Several attempts at holding talks through mediators have failed and ceasefires between the rebels and the Indian army have collapsed. ULFA has consistently said it would not hold direct talks with authorities unless the independence of Assam was discussed, five ULFA leaders released from jail and information given on the whereabouts of ULFA members arrested in 2003. But the government remained steadfast in its stand on restarting talks, Goswami said, adding that Narayanan also said other demands, including the possible release of ULFA prisoners, would be considered subsequently. "We will now appeal to ULFA and put across the government's view. On many points they may not agree, but we will try to negotiate with them as before," she said. *Govt sets 3 terms to resume talks with ULFA* http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070613/main8.htm New Delhi, June 12 The government has set three conditions to resume the stalled peace initiative with banned ULFA, that included a direct communication from the outfit's top leadership indicating their willingness for talks with the Centre, mediator for ULFA talks Indira Goswami said today. The conditions were conveyed to Goswami by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan during their meeting. Addressing a press conference here, Goswami said the Centre wants direct communication from either ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa or military chief Paresh Barua indicating their willingness for peace talks with the government without any condition. The second condition Narayanan conveyed to her is that talks should be held at the presence of emissaries of the either side. She said Narayanan informed her that if there was any need to contact the jailed leaders (by the ULFA), government will facilitate it. Narayanan said the release of top leaders of the outfit will be considered subsequently, Goswami, who also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday leading a delegation of Nagrik Shanti Manch (NSM), a forum of prominent authors and intellectuals from Assam, said. About her meeting with the Prime Minister, she said Singh showed genuine interests in solving the insurgency problem in the state. The Prime Minister said he will try his best to see that peace returns to Assam, Goswami said. "I will take great interest to bring peace to Assam," she quoted Singh as saying. Asked whether NSM will appeal to ULFA to accept the conditions, she said "we will have to discuss the issue among ourselves first". On recent violence in Assam, she said, "we condemn any kind of killings". Another member of the delegation, noted Gandhian Susibrata Raichowdhry said the organisation intend to issue a public appeal to the outfit to accept government's conditions. "If they are fighting for us, then they will have to listen to us," she said.* — PTI* Centre sets terms for ULFA talks http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jun1307/at01 From Kalyan Barooah NEW DELHI, June 12 – The ULFA peace process is again on the roll, with Government of India rehashing its old terms and conditions, proposing unconditional talks in presence of either of the top leaders of the outfit, besides offering safe passage. While there is no certainty that outlawed ULFA would respond to the latest offer, nonetheless, the Centre has set three conditions for the direct dialogue to get started. Centre's reply came in response to Nagarik Shanti Mancha Asom (NSMA) latest bid to start dialogue among Government of India, Government of Assam and ULFA. The Government of India's response was conveyed by National Security Adviser (NSA), MK Narayanan to Mancha's president, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, this afternoon, following their meeting with the Prime Minister, last evening. The most crucial issue that led to the deadlock last time, remained inconclusive, with the Centre ruling out the possibility of releasing the five detained ULFA leaders languishing in jail. The Centre, however, offered to facilitate meeting with the detained leaders in jail, adding the offer of safe passage to sweeten the deal. Later, briefing newsmen about Centre's response, Dr Goswami said it has been conveyed to them that Government of India would wait for communication from either chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa or commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, expressing their willingness to come for talks without conditions. The press briefing was also attended by working president, Nurur Rehman and PM Dastidar, besides adviser, Sushibrata Roy Choudhury. The Centre is insisting that dialogue will be with an emissary selected by them and Government of India. Further, if there is any need to contact the ULFA leaders in jail, this could be facilitated. "As in the past, the Centre has offered safe passage," said Dr Goswami. In other words, the Centre is not taking chances and is trying to bind the ULFA leadership into a commitment to carry forward the dialogue. On the other hand, the hitches that led to breakdown in talks like a written communication from ULFA, remained. Last time, the Centre had suggested that ULFA name its team of negotiators and set a time frame for the dialogues to begin. The Mancha's yesterday appealed to Government of India to consider the three demands of ULFA, stating that they should not be treated as a hindrance to initiate talks. The Mancha, itself appeared unsure of the convincing ULFA, given the tough talking by Government of India. "We shall make public appeal to ULFA stating that they should express their response to Government of India's offer for talks," said Mancha's adviser Roy Choudhury. When asked whether they expected ULFA to respond, the noted Gandhian said, "If they are fighting for the welfare of the people of Assam they should respond to us." The Mancha leaders said they have no formal contacts with any of the top leaders of ULFA and their channel of communication is through the detained ULFA leaders. They conveyed the Centre that they had held discussions with the detained leaders before coming to Delhi. Replying to questions, the Mancha leaders who addressed a press conference, said they did not have any mandate from ULFA to approach the Centre but had the consent of the detained leaders that included vice chairman of ULFA, Pradip Gogoi. About the killings indulged in by ULFA, Roy Choudhury said ULFA was not the only one indulging in violence and there were killings by the Army as well. "We don't believe in violence and also that any problem could be resolved through dialogue," she said. The Mancha leaders further said they believed that ULFA would come for talks. If they were not interested in talks, they would not have sent Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) as their representatives. The Mancha office bearers were also quick in clarifying that they were not competing with PCG. "We don't have a rift with PCG," said Dr Goswami. The citizen's forum also expressed its sorrow and anguish at the killing of innocent civilians including the Hindi-speaking people, besides ULFA men and security forces personnel. "The ULFA problem is not Assam's problem but a national problem," Dr Goswami contended.** * * *I*
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