The Hindu : Negotiations will take some time: Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2003

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National

Negotiations will take some time: Advani

By Anjali Mody

NEW DELHI JAN.13. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said the NSCN (IM) leaders were convinced "this Government is earnest and sincerely wants to promote the peace process.''

He cautioned against expectations of swift solutions, saying that the negotiations "will take some time.''

He described as a "breakthrough'' the fact that the NSCN (IM) chairman, Isak Swu, and the general secretary, Th. Muivah, had come to Delhi for talks; and that after their meetings with him, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, had "told the media what they had seen.'' Mr. Advani said the coming Assembly elections would in no way impinge on the talks. The Government had not raised the issue of participation with the Naga leaders, but they had in their meeting with him indicated that they did not favour a boycott.

Mr. Advani refused to comment on the substantive issues to be discussed with the Naga leaders.

In the first instance talks would be held with Government officials.

However, the Government was considering the issue of appointing a political interlocutor. "These are matters which we are thinking about. This is not a major issue.''

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