[Assam] Colonel Paresh Barua homes in with crystal clarity on the restoration of the Sovereignty of Assam in contrast with Indian Government’s renowned duplicity in solving such issues.

[Bartta Bistar]

*Centre should be sincere: ULFA C-in-C
*By R Dutta Choudhury

http://www.assamtribune.com/       20 September 2006


 GUWAHATI, Sept 19 – The possibility of direct talks between the Government
of India and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) will depend on the
sincerity of the Government, said the commander-in-chief of the outfit
Paresh Baruah. In an interview with *The Assam Tribune*, conducted through
e-mail, the ULFA commander in chief also termed the suspension of operations
by the Government as a tactic to divert the attention from the main issue.

The following are the excerpts from the interview:

Assam Tribune: What is your comment on the ongoing peace process and are you
hopeful of direct talks between the Government and the ULFA soon?

Paresh Baruah: So far, any "peace process" or "peace talks" with India
Government has not resolved any conflict satisfactorily, be it Kashmir or
our region. If these are the lessons, we are inclined to observe that India
has not understood or is refusing to understand, the core issues of the
conflicts in the region. As for direct talks between the ULFA and Indian
Government, everything depends on the India Government's sincere approach to
the conflict.

AT: The Government is alleging that the ULFA is not serious on the issue of
talks, while, on the other hand, the People's Consultative Group (PCG)
accused the Government for its failure to show sincerity. What are your
comments?

PB: The ULFA is fighting for the legitimate national rights of Asom.
Therefore, the ULFA is ready to hold direct talks any time if our national
rights could be restored through such talks. So there is no question of lack
of seriousness on the part of the ULFA. The PCG has rightly stated about
India Government's failure to show sincerity. So long as India Government
refuses to respect the history of Asom and accepts the reality of the
conflict, the direct talks will be delayed.

AT: What is your opinion on the pre-conditions imposed by the Government for
the release of the five jailed central committee members of the ULFA? Is it
possible for the ULFA to accept the pre-conditions?

PB: The ULFA did not demand the release of the five jailed central committee
members. The Prime Minister of India personally gave an assurance to the PCG
about the release of the jailed members. So the question of ULFA fulfilling
India Government's pre-conditions on the issue does not arise.

AT: What are your comments on the suspension of operations? Will it help in
creating a congenial atmosphere for direct talks? (The Government of India
suspended operations against the ULFA on August 13 and after two extensions,
the suspension will come to an end on September 20)

PB: Unilateral suspension of operations by Indian occupation forces is a
tactic to divert attention from the main issue.

AT: Would you like to comment on the Armys' recent statement against the
ULFA? (The Army recently issued a press statement accusing the ULFA of
indulging in fake currency racket at the behest of the Pakistani Inter
Services Intelligence)

PB: These are all parts of the enemy propaganda to mislead the freedom
loving people of Asom.


New Delhi to decide ceasefire extension with ULFA
http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=24326

By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati, Sep 20: New Delhi is to take a decision
Wednesday on extending the more than month-long suspension of military
operations against the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

An Indian home ministry official said National Security Adviser M.K.
Narayanan would meet senior officials in New Delhi Wednesday to discuss the
fragile peace in Assam and pleas by ULFA representatives to extend the truce
by another month.

The term of the suspension of military operations against the ULFA expires
Wednesday.

"The meeting will be crucial as it would decide whether or not to further
extend the suspension of anti-insurgency offensives against the ULFA," the
home ministry official said over the phone from New Delhi.

The central government had on Aug 13 announced a 10-day suspension of army
operations against the ULFA. This was later extended in two phases until
Wednesday. The ULFA, too, reciprocated the government's 'goodwill gesture'
by announcing cessation of hostilities for an indefinite period.

Holding of direct peace talks between the ULFA
leadership<http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=24326>
 and government peace negotiators have been deadlocked with New Delhi
seeking a formal letter from the outfit stating that it was ready for direct
talks, name the outfit's negotiating team members, and specify timeframe for
the dialogue.

The main issue now blocking the start of formal face-to-face talks between
the ULFA and Indian government negotiators is the rebels' demand for release
of five of their jailed leaders.

The ULFA maintains that the outfit was not in a position to take a decision
and write a letter to the government without their five central committee
leaders, who are currently in jail, and are hence insisting on their
release.

"We have formally requested the government to extend the truce by one more
month," Indira Goswami, noted Assamese
writer<http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=24326>
 sought by the ULFA to mediate for talks, told IANS.

Goswami is the leader of an 11-member team of civil society members -
collectively called the People's Consultative Group - nominated by the ULFA
in September last year to begin exploratory talks with the government.

She said the deadlock could be resolved only if Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh intervenes.

"Now all hopes are on the prime minister's personal intervention to break
the deadlock over holding peace talks with the ULFA."
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