Guwahati, Jan. 16: The NSCN (I-M) today dismissed the Centre?s assertion that future rounds of peace talks with the outfit would be held only in the country.
Deputy kilo kilonser (?home minister?) of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) V. Horam told The Telegraph via telephone from Dimapur that they were not bound to hold future talks in India.
?As far as we are concerned, the future talks could be held in Delhi or in any European or Asian country,? Horam said.
Union minister of state for home I.D. Swami, in a telephone interview with The Telegraph recently, had said the Centre has decided not to hold peace talks with any militant outfit abroad. He had also said the NSCN (I-M) leadership was convinced that any future peace parleys would have to be held in the country.
Indicating that a few more rounds of talks would follow the ongoing Delhi summit, Horam said, ?This visit of our collective leadership is primarily to enlighten Indian political leaders and civil society about our stand. The dialogues on the substantive issues would follow in the next round of discussions.?
The NSCN (I-M) leaders would start discussing the nitty-gritty of the substantive issues during official-level meetings next week, added Horam.
He said the meetings of the ?collective leadership? so far have evoked a very positive response from the ?Indian leadership? and that they are optimistic about hammering out a ?permanent solution? to the Naga problem.
On the appointment of a ?non-bureaucrat? as a negotiator for the talks, Horam said the person should have a proper understanding of the Naga problem and a consensus should be evolved on deciding a candidate for the coveted post.
?It is advisable to have a mutually agreed person as a negotiator. We must have trust and confidence in the person and he should also have proper understanding of the Naga problem,? Horam said.
He said the NSCN (I-M) would not have any preferences on the matter. ?We have seen a few names being speculated in the Indian media as likely negotiators. Officially, we have not been intimated about any name or names. So it would not be wise to comment on this,? he said.