[Assam] Mamoni, ‘Talking Peace’ is just stroking on the surface. Change it to ‘Conflict Resolution Challenge’ and go for the HEART of the matter and extract the restoration of Assam sovereignty pledge in black and white from the Government of India.

[Bartta Bistar]

[image: The Assam Tribune online]
*Guwahati, Tuesday, October 31, 2006*

http://www.assamtribune.com/
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*Mamoni makes fresh bid to revive talks
*From Our Spl Correspondent
 NEW DELHI, Oct 30 – Mediator and Jnanpith awardee, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami
today made a fresh attempt to revive the ULFA peace process, contacting
National Security Adviser (NSA), MK Narayanan. The mediator now wants the
Government of India to clarify, 'what it wants to revive the peace process'.
"The Centre's response would be conveyed to ULFA, through the peoples
Consultative Group (PCG)", Dr Goswami told newsmen here.

The author called up the NSA, this morning to explore the possibility of
reviving the peace talks. This, she claimed was the desire of the PCG. "The
PCG would await the instructions from Government of India to start the peace
talks", she said.

Dr Goswami said having conveyed to the NSA that the peace talks should start
once again. "In which case, we wish to know what the Government of India
wants," she said.

The mediator said that she was starting the process afresh at the
instructions of the PCG.

Dr Goswami said the NSA after hearing her, said he would 'consult others'
before responding. His response is likely to come within a day or two.

The mediators and Government of India had broken off contact after the
suspension of operations was withdrawn on the midnight of September 23. The
PCG had also soon announced its withdrawal from the peace process but
reviewed its stand later, even as full scale army operation resumed all over
the State.

The Centre too had kept a small window open by stating that efforts would
continue, at the time of withdrawal of the ceasefire. Operations had been
suspended some time back because of possibility of direct talks with ULFA
towards peace process. "However, efforts for pursuing the peace process by
the Government will continue," the statement further added

However, PCG's latest gambit does not find favour with the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA), which is opposed to the idea of reviving the peace process at
a time, when ULFA is supposedly on the run. "It is the familiar ploy used by
the outfit to buy time, whenever pressure mounts", said an official.

Indications are that, the Centre might agree to start the peace process, as
desired by PCG, but may not order suspension of operations, until the outfit
comes for direct talks. The process was deadlocked after ULFA insisted on
release of five prisoners and Government of India on a written commitment.

According to sources, the issue of the peace talks with ULFA had figured at
a review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on October 16. The Prime
Minister, who was under pressure of the Asom Government and the Left
parties, was reportedly keen to start the dialogue process.

At the meeting the Home Ministry conveyed its stand, stressing that the
outfit should be first made to fulfil the pre-conditions.

After the suspension of operations was withdrawn, the Government of India
had come out with a two-line statement, blaming the continued violence and
extortion by ULFA cadres.

The killing of the tea garden manager and a police constable by ULFA acted
as the proverbial last straw.

Though the term of the suspension of operations ended on September 20, the
Centre had been putting off a final decision, but when the reports of
killings reached its ears, it decided to act.
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