Thursday, September 8 2005 16:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: To take forward the peace process, the proscribed ULFA would announce its eight-member citizens' delegation list in a day or two for working out with the Centre the modalities of the formal talks between the outfit and Union Government, said Gyanpith awardee Dr Indira (Mamoni) Roisam Goswami today (Sept 8, 2005).

Describing the ULFA initiative 'as a major breakthrough' in the ULFA peace process, Goswami told sources here over phone from Delhi that ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua told her yesterday (Sept 7, 2005) that the list of the 'like-minded' people from Assam would either be announced today (Sept 8, 2005) or tomorrow (Sept 9, 2005) through the media to hold the parleys in second week of October next in Delhi.

"The delegation would meet within the framework of the Constitution to work out the modalities of the talks that would be naturally held with a give and take spirit", said Goswami, who had taken the initiative to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table to resolve its 25-year-old insurgency in Assam.

The ULFA leaders would not initially come for the talks but would do so after the groundwork was done by the team for the direct talks between the underground group and the centre, she said.

On conveying to national security advisor M K Narayanan last evening about ULFA's willingness to nominate the team, she said, he responded positively and was willing for the first round of parleys to take place in the first week of October.

The meeting was, however, fixed for the second week, as the eminent writer would be away from Delhi then attending the All India Women's Conference meeting as its president.

Narayanan told her that the list of the eight-member delegation of the like-minded eminent citizens from the state as selected by ULFA would be scrutinised before the first round of discussions.

To queries on the ULFA's sudden positive response to the talks, Goswami said, "a lot of speculative and negative media reports have come out recently that the ULFA is not willing to carry forward the peace process. So they wanted to tell the people that they are serious about the talks".

Paresh Barua neither mentioned that the talks would center around the ULFA's 'core issue' of sovereignty of Assam nor did they demand release of the outfit's jailed central executive members prior to the talks, as done so earlier, she said.

The ULFA C-in-C had telephoned Goswami early last morning conveying about his outfit's willingness to nominate the team for preliminary talks with the centre.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa also later calling her up in the day asked her to contact the Prime Minister's office (PMO) to convey the decision.

The writer also informed that the ULFA had met the Prime Minister's pre-condition for talks that they abjure violence.

"They have not been indulging in any violence in the state, particularly during the Independence day celebrations in the state", she added.

To the ULFA's request for her presence in the October talks, Goswami said, she would be there, but would not like to be associated any further when the ULFA leaders negotiate directly.

The former Delhi University professor also said that the government should seize this last opportunity as the ULFA had itself expressed its willingness for talks. "It is not only a matter of the talks, but it involves the people in Assam who have seen enough bloodshed", Goswami said.