Sunday, July 30 2006 14:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Uncertainty over direct talks between the Centre and the United Liberation Front of Asom(ULFA) continues to prevail with the banned outfit not relenting in its three key demands before dialogue and the Government insisting on direct talks first.

The ULFA has made it clear that without release of its five top leaders, it will not be possible for the outfit to sit for a direct negotiation.

The banned outfit also wants to know the government's stand on its demand of 'sovereignity' and whereabouts of missing ULFA leaders in the Bhutan operation in 2003.

The Government, on the other hand, is yet to respond to ULFA's demand considering the fact that the outfit has not stopped its activities including extortion.

"We are still waiting for a reply from the government on the three key issues. Everything will depend on that," Assammese writer Indira Goswami, who is a memebr of the ULFA nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG), told sources here today (July 30, 2006).

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had agreed to favourably consider the release of the five leaders after consultations with the state government. While the Centre favoured the release after ULFA gave a written assurance from participating in direct talks, the militant outfit is adhering to its stance of release first and then direct talks.