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03/05/2011: "China seeks to advance boundary negotiations with India Nagaland page"

China seeks to advance boundary negotiations with India Nagaland page

Beijing, March 4: China on Friday proposed to "advance" the negotiation process with India on resolving the boundary issue in view of the prevailing "good atmosphere", even as it played down any impact of a sharp hike in its defence budget on bilateral ties saying it poses no threat to any country.
The Special Representative mechanism created by both the countries to resolve the boundary issue has brought about "some momentum" to bilateral efforts to resolve the problem, Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for the annual session of China's national legislature, told the media here.
"We seek to advance the negotiation process on the settlement framework so as to resolve this boundary question which has been created and left by history as soon as possible," Li, a former Foreign Minister, said replying to a question on concerns in India and other neighbours about China raising its defence budget.
He is currently the spokesman for the National People's Congress (NPC), which begins its annual session from tomorrow to consider the draft of the new defence budget as well as the 12th 5-year plan.
"At represent there are friendly and stable relations between China and India. This has created a good atmosphere for the 2 sides to resolve the boundary question through consultations," he said.
Announcing a sharp increase in China's defence budget from the previous USD 77 to USD 91.5 billion, which is due to be approved by NPC, Li defended the hike saying that India too increased its defence expenditure, which in the GDP terms was more than that of China's.
"It is true that China's defence budget is raised a bit, but the ratio of the defence spending in the country's GDP remains very low, much lower than those of many other countries," he told a press conference for the annual parliamentary session.
While China's military spending amounts to about 1.4% of its GDP, "that ratio in India is much higher than 25% as far as I know," he said in response to a question on whether China's defence budget increase would put pressure on India and other neighbours.
He said China's defence policy is defensive in character and "every bit of China's limited military strength will be used for safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and this will not pose a threat to any country." (PTI)

NSCN (IM) reiterates commitment for Naga reconciliation (Pa ge News Service)
Dimapur, March 4: The NSCN (IM) Friday reiterated its commitment for Naga reconciliation saying that they signed the Covenant of Reconciliation based on the unique historical rights of the Nagas for the love of peace and reconciliation.
In a statement issued today, the NSCN (IM) took a dig at the rival Khaplang group for making "rhetoric blame-game" against the GPRN with its standardized medium of self-justification when the people desperately desire and pray for wind of change in the entire Nagalim through mutual reconciliation among the different political groups of Nagas.
"True reconciliation has to be manifested not only with verbal pledge to the Naga fraternity but it has to be made vibrant reflection in spirit and in letter," it said adding, "Genuine reconciliation can never be substantiated unless these exotic or foreign elements are accorded to lay with us."
Alleging that Khaplang has acquainted in using "our common adversary forces to fight against us", the NSCN (IM) stated that the rival group has started attacking and killing its boys in Changlang with combined operation of three battalions of 18th, 19th and 44th Assam Rifles under the name of "Rocket Operation".
It also alleged that Khaplang also harbour non-Naga armed groups to fight against the NSCN (IM) and are harbouring them in their camps giving easy ways to various crimes elsewhere in Nagalim.
"It is not all absurd to say that one of the biggest blunders on their part is to allow these elements to gain an impetus and advantages only to serve their diabolic agenda over the Naga people. We are harbouring non-Naga groups because their political agenda is clearly against the Naga people's aspiration," the MIP stated.
The NSCN (IM) disclosed that having numbers of reconciliation summits, 9 rounds in Chiangmai and 36 rounds in Nagaland, Khaplang refusing highest level leadership meeting is to be viewed decisively by one and all.
Stating that a call for the highest level meeting is to the difference, the NSCN (IM) said denying the fervent call of Naga people for the top leadership meeting under any pretext is simply a flimsy excuse.
It quoted general secretary of GPRN/NSCN, Kitovi saying Khaplang is against reconciliation in a Joint Working Group meeting held at Hukato's residence on September 18, 2010 attended by top leaders of the three Naga political groups and also Kitovi confessing that they have internal problems within themselves, but after much conversation, he says that "we cannot go back from reconciliation."
"In the K group there exist two camps or schools of thought, one for the reconciliation and the other against it. But the NSCN have given a vow to the Naga people. We will never retreat or surrender but firmly stand on our ground for the Covenant of Reconciliation," the NSCN (IM) reiterated.
About the charter of demands as alleged by the rival group, the NSCN (IM) said that there is no charter of demands, but only proposals to retain what belongs to the Nagas. "Through this proposal and subsequent progress of the talks, the Government of India has recognized the uniqueness of the Naga history," it claimed.

NSCN/GPRN for restraining the ‘common adversary’ morungexpress
DIMAPUR, (MExN): NSCN/GPRN while leveling allegations on GPRN/NSCN also sought to blame the Assam Rifles for holding combined operations against it. The NSCN/GPRN said their camps in Arunachal Pradesh have been attacked and resulted in deaths of their men during “combined operations” with 18th, 19th and 44th units of the Assam Rifles in a campaign codenamed “Rocket Operation”.
“It is not at all absurd to say that, one of the biggest political blunders on their part (GPRN/NSCN) is to allow these elements to gain impetus and advantages only to serve their diabolic agenda over the Naga peoples,” stated the MIP of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim.
Assam Rifles, non-Naga armed groups blamed
“We are against harbouring non-Naga groups because their political agenda is clearly against the Naga people aspiration,” it added. The NSCN/GPRN said “reasoning together has no meeting point if we fail to reason deep down to the truth and realities of the national principle”. It recalled the April 9, 1995 Yangkhao move where GPRN/NSCN and FGN allegedly carried out a joint operation against them and considered the Monyakshu conclave (2010) and recent statements of the GPRN/NSCN a repetition of a similar policy.
However, the NSCN/GPRN asserted that the call of the highest level meeting is to solve “our differences” and regretted the deferment of the meeting using “excuses”.
The NSCN/GPRN said there could be two schools of thought within the GPRN/NSCN, with one section working against reconciliation and one towards it.
“We will never retreat or surrender but firmly stand on our ground for the COR (Covenant of Reconciliation),” the MIP reiterated. It questioned whether bringing the Naga political issue from zero point (of Shillong Accord, 1975) to the “highest level talk” is belittling the Nagas in the eyes of the world.
Clarifying that there was never a “charted of demands” to the Government of India, the MIP said it only made “proposals to retain what belongs to the Nagas.” It claimed that this led to India recognizing the uniqueness of the Naga history.
Meanwhile, the NSCN/GPRN said it will “remain committed” to the reconciliation process based on “unique historical rights of the Nagas” and in the interest of the people.


Must blood flow again in Eastern Nagaland? GPRN/NSCN
The Covenant of Reconciliation was signed in the month of June 2009 by top leaders of three Naga Political groups. On September 18th 2010, the Naga political groups, in the name of God and witnessed by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, declared to the Naga people and the entire world resolving to, among others, desist from pursuing territorial expansion so that a conducive atmosphere is sustained for strengthening the Naga Reconciliation Process.
GPRN/NSCN headed by Chairman S S Khaplang and General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi, FGN Headed by Brig. (Retd) Shingnya and Kedallo Zopra Vero have steadfastedly abided by the agreed resolutions. The FNR, on the strength of spontaneous response from Naga people, is also making all out effort to facilitate the meeting of top leadership in the near future. It is deeply regretted that the IM leadership has, in blatant violation of the Covenant of Reconciliation and the resolution of the 18th September 2010 resolution, has ordered military operation in eastern side of Nagaland and deep into interior Naga homeland. The forceful intrusion and bloodshed is not in the interest of the Nagas. Such deception is uncalled for and will naturally be confronted. It is understood that a group of armed IM men on operation are not there to preach the Gospel. Serious questions emerge on the policy and intent IM for the potential volatile situation in eastern Nagaland. While the Naga people eagerly await the summit of top leadership of different political groups, is it not a negative policy on the part of IM to send in their men to intercept and prevent Chairman S S Khaplang and Brig.(Retd) Singnya from attending the proposed summit?
The aggressive nature of IM in eastern Nagaland is extremely unfortunate as it is a serious breach of the Covenant. Where do Naga Reconciliation stands if such stumbling blocks are created deliberately? Any fallout would solely be blamed on those who propose further bloodshed to gain territorial foothold in eastern Nagaland.

MIP,
GPRN/NSCN.
Rali Wali, FGN.






IM ANSWERABLE TO NAGA PEOPLE: GPRN/NSCN & FGN

GPRN/NSCN and FGN, two of the three signatories of the Covenant of Reconciliation, are closely observing the activities of IM cadres in eastern Nagaland. Naga people are informed that while Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah demand sincerity from the Government of India, back home in Nagaland, despite being a signatory of the Covenant of Reconciliation, they have miserably failed to be sincere to their own people. The ink on the documents they signed are still wet yet they are threatening to throw Nagaland into further turmoil. Naga people have the right to know why Mr. Muivah has ordered military offensive in eastern Nagaland under the command of Absolom Tangkhul

Below are some important documents which IM signed in presence of FNR however today their action appears to be the very opposite to what they have pledged.

Soon after the Covenant of Reconciliation jointly signed by Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman NSCN (IM), S.S Khaplang, Chairman GPRN/NSCN and Brig (Retd) S. Singnya, Kedahge, FGN in the month of June 2009, the Chiangmai VI declaration was issued on 23rd September 2009 signed by Gen. V.S Atem of IM, Zhopra Vero of FGN and Wangtin Naga of GPRN/NSCN stated, “To facilitate he summit at the highest level, at the earliest, in affirmation of the Covenant of Reconciliation. We reaffirm our total commitment to work together in the spirit of love, non-voilence, peace,and respect to resolve outstanding issues amongst us. Therefore, we pledge to cease all forms of offensive activities in toto”.

On December 8 2009, the Joint Working Grpup (JWG) issued a public affirmation signed by Vikiye Awomi of IM, Zhopra Vero of FGN and C Singson of GPRN/NSCN in which the last sentence read,
“The Joint Working Group reinforces our pledge to abide and implement cessation of all forms of offensive activities in toto”

On march 10, 2010, the Joint Working Group (JWG) issued a joint appeal signed by C Singson of GPRN/NSCN, Zhopra Vero of FGN and Q Tuccu of IM and Dr. Wati Aier representing FNR, whose third point stated, “To cease all offensive activities in toto; and all Naga army commanders in the Naga areas are hereby requested to uphold and abide by this principle”

On September 18, 2010, Th. Muivah, General Secretary NSCN (IM), N Kitovi Zhimomi, General Secretary GPRN/NSCN and Brig (Retd) of FGN met at Dimapur and the last sentence in their joint declaration stated, “Furthermore, we commit to cessation of all forms of hostilities including any territorial expansion. for this JWG will meet from time to time”

On 9th October, 2010, Gen. V.S Atem of IM, Zhopra Vero of FGN, C Singson of GPRN/NSCN made a five point commitment of which stated,

1. That a complete “status Quo” by all groups be maintained.
2. That, the activities and movements of the respective governments including cadres etc. should remain confined to their own and respective jurisdiction and territories;
3. That, in all cases of necessary movements which requires passages from each other’s territories, prior information should be given to each other for mutual understanding and maintaining peaceful atmosphere.
4. That, it is further suggested that in some areas/territories which have become sensitive owing to individual or personal differences among commanders or cadres, their respective Governments are requested to make necessary corrections or placements on such cases to other units or battalions to avoid any reoccurrence of tensions.
5. Acknowledging that kidnappings and extortions have become an unbearable concern of all, irrespective of business communities or the general public, the JWG have agreed to vigilantly check through a collective mechanism forthwith.

. It is very unfortunate that the MIP of IM dated 23rd Feb 2011, in contradiction to all agreed resolutions signed at different times, should justify sending heavily armed cadres to Khiamnungan region and eastern Nagaland. Unless the agreed principles are adhered to in letter and spirit, Naga history will bear witness as to who invited further bloodshed.

Issued by:
MIP, GPRN/NSCN &
Rali Wali, FGN.

Junta sends more tanks to Kachin State Phanida Mizzima

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese junta has sent at least 200 troops to Kachin State this week as reinforcements, said the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and local observers.

Observers said that about a dozen junta tanks arrived at Infantry Battalion on No. 58 based in Bhamo in Kachin State on Tuesday, according to the KIO.

The KIO, which is fighting for equality and self-determination, signed a cease-fire agreement with the junta in 1994.

Recently, KIO rejected the junta’s Border Guard Force plan, and starting in September 2010, the junta has restricted KIO travel in the area.