[Assam] India simply say in a formal invitation letter to the ULFA, “ We are ready to RESTORE the Sovereignty of Assam, and inviting you to discuss the transfer of power. We guarantee security of the negotiating team. Kindly confirm acceptance.”

[Bartta Bistar]

'ULFA uses truce to regroup itself'
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/is-ulfa-using-truce-to-recoup-itself/23786-3.html

VK Shashikumar

CNN-IBN

Posted Thursday , October 12, 2006 at 09:00

Updated Thursday , October 12, 2006 at 11:12

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*Guwahati* Former intelligence officer Colonel Grewal, an expert in
Northeast India, revealed to CNN-IBN that even as the People's Consultative
Group (PCG) engaged the Government in talks, foreign mercenaries have been
training the ULFA in Bangladesh.

"French ex-servicemen have trained the terror elements as well as the ULFA
elements in handling, using, making IEDs, using of mines and like in
Bangladesh," says Colonel Grewal.

Grewal revealed the names of former French commandos who have allegedly been
training the ULFA. "French para-commandoes, who have left the French army,
are available in Thailand to anyone who will pay them the money. They will
impart training in any part of the world," says Colonel Grewal.

Chairman of the UNLF, Sanayaima, revealed that the ULFA also shares camps
with other Northeast rebel groups - notably the UNLF - in Myanmar's Sagaing
Division.

Sanayaima was also certain that the ULFA peacetalks would fail. "ULFA's core
issue is the restoration of Assam's sovereignty. So far, the Government of
India has not responded to that. If ULFA wants to survive, they'll realise
that just peace talks will not bring peace," says Sanayaima.

ULFA also wanted the Government to release five of its senior leaders.
Amongst those demading the release is the outfit's vice-chairman, Pradeep
Gogoi. "We want the sovereignty of Assam," he says.

In fact, Arup Borbora, one of the 11-member PCG appointed by ULFA to set the
stage for talks with the Government, concedes that the Government was ready
to discuss all issues.

"During the first round of discussions the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had
said that there is no bar on part of the Government of India to discuss any
issue or issues. As far as ULFA is concerned, it wants the issue of
sovereignty should be discussed," says Borbora, a lawyer.

Strangely, talks with the PCG broke down because the ULFA refused to give a
formal letter seeking the release of its leaders not over the issue of
sovereignity. So, were the year-long talks just a ploy for ULFA to regroup
militarily?

*Scribes seek PM`s intervention in Assam peace process *

*http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=328673&sid=NAT*



New Delhi, Oct 11: The North East Media Forum (NEMF) on Wednesday sought
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s intervention to take foward the peace
process in Assam.

In a representation to the Prime Minister, the NEMF, an organisation of
journalists from the Northeast based in New Delhi, said the the process "has
come to a halt because of certain reasons".

It said under Singh`s leadership, the peace process had taken off a year ago
through negotiations between the government and the Ulfa-nominated Peoples
Consultative Group. The "violence-weary people of assam were looking at"
this as the first step towards return of peace, it said.

Media reports in Assam had quoted Ulfa leader Paresh Barua as saying that
the group would join direct talks with the government if it sends them a
letter through the PCG proposing negotiations.

"As a body of professionals from the Northeast concerned about peace and
progress of the region, we humbly urge you to intervene in the matter so
that the peace process can be carried forward without any hitch," the
representation said. The peace process, it said, "should not get hindered
because of a mere letter".

In a separate representation, the NEMF sought President A P J Abdul Kalam`s
intervention to help end a Manipuri woman`s protest demanding the repeal of
the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

Irom Sharmila Chanu has been on a fast for the past six years against the
anti-terror law. She is currently continuing her protest at the AIIMS. The
NEMF asked the President to direct the government to take necessary steps to
defuse the crisis.

Bureau Report
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