ULFA reiterates terms for talks

GUWAHATI, MAY 8: One week after a citizens8217; meeting organised by a committee comprising of all major political parties of the state recommended announcement of a ceasefire and asked the government to begin the process of negotiations, the outlawed ULFA has expressed its willingness to come forward for talks, but not before once again placing some pre-conditions.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, in a statement issued here last night said his group was never averse to holding talks, but such a process should be determined by the 8220;struggling people of Assam8221; who, according to him, 8220;are yearning for independence.8221; This statement of ULFA incidentally reiterates that the talks a be held outside India, b should include the issue of sovereignty on the agenda, and c that a United Nations representative be present as an observer. These conditions are being struck to by the group since 1993. Rajkhowa said that ULFA8217;s stand on the talks was also motivated by the 8220;bitter8221; experiences of the past when thegovernment had held similar negotiations with the Mizo National Front, Tripura National Volunteers as well as the Naga National Council, as also the accord signed with the All-Assam Students8217; Union.

He also said that the organisation was once already bluffed by the government in 1992 when a section of ULFA leaders had come out for talks but were 8220;cheated8221; as no talks were held and the leaders forced to surrender. He also pointed out to the repeated statements of the government that it was ready for talks, and said that such statements were intended to project the ULFA as a group opposed to negotiations even as the government was ready.8220;We have never opposed the idea of holding talks, but the sincerity of the government too has to be taken into consideration, which, at present, does not seem to be very much there,8221; Rajkhowa said.

Assam CM Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has already pushed the ball to the Centre8217;s court, by organising a citizens8217; meet, which urged New Delhi to initiate a dialogue.