Saturday, May 28 2005 15:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: The Centre is ready to discuss the "core issue" as demanded by the United Liberation front of Assam (ULFA) and has sent a formal invitation to the banned outfit for unconditional negotiations with it, Indira Goswami, the intermediary between the Union Government and the ULFA, said today (May 28, 2005).

Goswami told sources in Guwahati from Delhi that the Central Government had in its letter to the ULFA stated that it was prepared to hold unconditional talks to discuss Assam's sovereignty, described by the ULFA as the "core issue".

An official of the Union Home Ministry had on Thursday (May 26, 2005) given to Goswami the first formal letter signed by the National Security advisor, N K Narayanan, to be handed over to the ULFA.

The Assamese litterateur, who is acting as the 'go-between' in an attempt to bring peace to the State, sent the missive by e-mail to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa yesterday (May 27,2005).

She said that ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua had a telephonic conversation with her today (May 28, 2005) where he said that a few points in the letter, such as abjuring of violence prior to talks and other points, required clarification.

Barua also reportedly told that Goswami that the contents of the letter would be debated upon today (May 28, 2005) at a meeting of the ULFA cadres.

She, however, said the Government's communique did not mention any date for discussion with the outfit.