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12/15/2009: "Lessons in peace Sne Masuku The Sowetan"

Lessons in peace Sne Masuku The Sowetan

A DELEGATION from Nagaland in north-eastern India is in KwaZulu-Natal to learn from the peace experience of Mpumalanga township outside Durban.
The state has been fighting for independence from India for the past 67 years.
Mpumalanga (Hammarsdale) is historically the first township to strike a peace deal that ended the violence between the IFP and the ANC’s then internal wing, the United Democratic Front, in the 1980s.
In 1993 the community of Mpumalanga was awarded the Accord’s first Africa Peace Award in recognition of ending the violence in their community.
The peace deal was initiated by the IFP’s Sipho Mlaba and the ANC’s Meshack Radebe, the MEC for social development.
Mlaba’s younger brother Eugene told the delegation how he, Radebe and his brother survived gunshots but escaped with physical and emotional wounds.
“The violence that had engulfed us in Mpumalanga was the darkest time of our lives,” he said.
“People did not go to work, school or to church. Some people could not bury their relatives.
“If you were from an IFP area you could not attend a funeral in an ANC area.”
He remembered how schools had to be closed because killings were happening on school premises among fellow pupils who were forced to declare their political affiliations.
He said his brother and Radebe, although from rival political parties, played a huge role in preaching the gospel of peace.
Radebe said the bond that developed between him and the late Mlaba had continued . Mlaba died of natural causes in 2006 .
“When Sipho died it was like a part of me had died with him,” Radebe said.
The delegation’s Neingulo Krome said Nagaland has been in peace talks with the Indian government for the past 12 years.
“The hard work and dedication the late Mlaba put into finding peace in Mpumalanga is proof that individuals need to reconcile and put politics on the side in order for a whole country to find peace.”
Reconciliation is a 'political process': FNR Nagaland Page

Forum is not involved in the 'politics of negotiation'
Moa Longkumer
Dimapur, December 14: The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today admitted that bringing about reconciliation among the different Naga National groups is a ‘political process’ that can have wider political implications.
But at the same time the FNR was quick to make it categorically clear that it is not involved in the “politics of negotiation” between the Naga groups and the Government of India.
“FNR is not involved in the negotiation. Our priority is reconciliation, which in itself is a political process, FNR officials told newsmen here Monday at Hotel Saramati.
We (FNR) are not here to tell them (Naga groups) what kind of political adjustments they can have with India, or what kind of Government they should have,” they reiterated.
According to the officials, although FNR is a spiritual body and not a “political body”, in reality one cannot “separate spirituality and politics.”
All are political. Even the act of forgiveness has political implications, FNR officials asserted.
The FNR maintained that the process of coming together needs understanding of each other’s politics. Rather, they asserted reconciliation in itself is a ‘political act’.
Buttressing its assertion, the officials maintained that FNR knew that they would be discussing ‘politics’ when they initiated the process of bringing about reconciliation among the warring Naga groups more than a year back. Because the issue was about “politics in crisis” and not about a Church in crisis, the FNR officials said.
And moving into the realm of politics, FNR officials said, “On the subject of solving the Naga issue, it has to be a united effort.”
Nagas make progress in 'Journey of Common Hope'
After lessening of violence, next target is building consensus
Dimapur, December 14: Following the decline in violence in the State after the signing of a 'Covenant of Reconciliation' by top leaders of warring Naga groups earlier this year, the Naga Reconciliation process spearheaded by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is moving on to the next stage in its 'Journey of Common Hope'.
The next stage, according to FNR officials, is to build common understanding and to forge consensus on a shared common future.
Addressing newsmen here today, FNR convener Rev Dr Wati Aier said the reconciliation process is gaining momentum and moving in the right direction.
"Transcending all that has happened in the past, Naga political leaders are making all efforts not to go to the past. This is a positive sign," he announced optimistically.
And to strengthen the process, the FNR is organizing a Advent Christmas programme at Town Baptist Church here at 12 Noon on December 16 next, where top leaders from the NNC/FGN and the two NSCNs will bring greetings. NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Anjo will share from the Book of God in the programme.
"It is appropriate that the political groups come and share in this festive season," FNR convener Rev Dr Wati Aier said. He informed another highlight of the programme would be exchange of gifts among the Naga groups.
Besides this, on December 16 morning at around 8 a.m. cadres from the three Naga political groups - FGN, NSCN/GPRN and GPRN/NSCN - will paint the City Tower.
"Cadres in arms will come out and do social work. It symbolizes the need to be together. It signifies that Naga groups are together and they want to be together," Dr Aier said.
The FNR also welcomed all to come and be a part of the worship programme on December 16. (Page News Service)

Nagas make progress in 'Journey of Common Hope' Nagaland page
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After lessening of violence, next target is building consensus
Dimapur, December 14: Following the decline in violence in the State after the signing of a 'Covenant of Reconciliation' by top leaders of warring Naga groups earlier this year, the Naga Reconciliation process spearheaded by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is moving on to the next stage in its 'Journey of Common Hope'.
The next stage, according to FNR officials, is to build common understanding and to forge consensus on a shared common future.
Addressing newsmen here today, FNR convener Rev Dr Wati Aier said the reconciliation process is gaining momentum and moving in the right direction.
"Transcending all that has happened in the past, Naga political leaders are making all efforts not to go to the past. This is a positive sign," he announced optimistically.
And to strengthen the process, the FNR is organizing a Advent Christmas programme at Town Baptist Church here at 12 Noon on December 16 next, where top leaders from the NNC/FGN and the two NSCNs will bring greetings. NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Anjo will share from the Book of God in the programme.
"It is appropriate that the political groups come and share in this festive season," FNR convener Rev Dr Wati Aier said. He informed another highlight of the programme would be exchange of gifts among the Naga groups.
Besides this, on December 16 morning at around 8 a.m. cadres from the three Naga political groups - FGN, NSCN/GPRN and GPRN/NSCN - will paint the City Tower.
"Cadres in arms will come out and do social work. It symbolizes the need to be together. It signifies that Naga groups are together and they want to be together," Dr Aier said.
The FNR also welcomed all to come and be a part of the worship programme on December 16. (Page News Service)

Autonomous State demand stepped up
Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Dec 15 – Keeping up the pressure, a Congress delegation from the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills today pressed the UPA Government for more administrative and financial powers. An eight-memberdelegation of Congress leaders led by Biren Singh Engti called on UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanding an autonomous State. They complained that the existing administrative system has failed to deliver and the two hill districts are among the most backward in the Region.

“We have clarified to the Congress president that we do not want to separate from Assam, but we want more power as prescribed under Article 244 A of the Constitution,” said Engti.

The delegation pointed out that though the population size of the two districts are the same as that of Mizoram, their budgetary allocation is not even one-fourth of the Hill State. This is discrimination and we are suffering because we decided to remain part of Assam,” said theCongress MP.

The Congress president advised the Karbi delegation to take up the issue with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and consult the Central leadership.

Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, in reply to a question by S K Bwiswmutiary, Minister of State for Home Affairs M Ramachandran said that the Government of Assam has informed that the issue of inclusion of Bodo and Kacharis living in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council areas in the list of Schedule Tribes (Hills) needed wider consultation and consensus.

“No proposal has been received from the Government of Assam by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs so far,” said the Minister.

The proposal to include the two tribes in the ST list was part of the Bodo Accord, Clause Eight.

No hurry for ULFA talks, says Gogoi From our Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Dec 15: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the Centre and the State Government are not in a hurry to start peace talks with the ULFA and the Government will talk to the outfit only if they (ULFA) shed its sovereignty demand and shun violence.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that he had requested Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to initiate talks with the ULFA. He also briefed Chidambaram about the initiatives taken by the State Government for negotiations with the outfit. After his meeting, Gogoi said: “Both the Centre and State Government are not in a hurry to start dialogue with the ULFA. It will take time to start the peace process. But the ULFA should shun violence and give up the demand for sovereignty first.”
Replying to a question, Gogoi said: “Everybody knows how negotiations started with the NSCN (IM). It took several decades. Now the Centre is gradually moving forward. We are not in a hurry with the ULFA too. Let the process move on.”
Gogoi on Monday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed strategies to break the deadlock in peace process with the ULFA. He also met UPA chairperson and AICC president Sonia Gandhi today.
On ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Baruah, Gogoi said Barua is in a hideout along China and Myanmar border. The security forces are trying to catch him.
Gogoi is likely to meet Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and others on the ULFA issue tomorrow.