Wednesday, December 22 2004 16:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Accusing the Centre of "lacking sincerity" to start peace talks with North East militant outfit ULFA (United Liberation front of Assam), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today (Dec 22, 2004) asked both sides to come to the negotiating table without setting preconditions.

"AGP is of the view that talks with ULFA should be started immediately but there seems to be no political will on the part of the Centre ... they are not putting their heart into the efforts," Brindabon Goswami, who is President of the main Opposition party in Assam, told reporters in New Delhi.

He said that his party was in favour of a political solution to the problem of insurgency through the process of meaningful dialogue "without any precondition from either side."

Asked about the ULFA rejecting the recent talks offer by the Centre, party Member of Parliament Sarbananda Sonowal said, "The Government asked them to first abjure violence. We believe talks should start and then these aspects can be discussed."

Another party MP Arun Kumar Sarma said, "Before talks with NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagalim - Isak Muivah), the Centre created some environment, there was a declaration of ceasefire. But in this case, the Centre seems to be lacking sincerity."

"We appeal to both sides to come to the negotiating table without preconditions and then their respective viewpoints can be put forward," Goswami said.

AGP also demanded immediate implementation of the Assam Accord and repeal of the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act saying it was a threat to the "integrity of the country".