New Delhi, November 16
In a siginificant step towards bringing the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to the negotiating table, noted Assamese literatteur today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the broad contours for thrashing out a lasting solution to the elusive peace in the trouble-torn region.

Dr Goswami, a Jnanpith Award winner, submitted a memorandum, which is believed to have been approved by ULFA Chief Paresh Barua. She was closetted at a meeting with the Prime Minister for nearly an hour.

“I have placed the memorandum for the Prime Minister to peruse”, she told The Tribune adding that ULFA had consistently maintained that “sovereignty” of Assam was an issue which had to be discussed, even though it should not be seen as a pre-condition.

“The Prime Minister is very positive and is committed towards achieving peace in Assam. He told me that the government is committed to ensuring that there is no further bloodshed in the state”, she said.

Sources said today’s meeting may have laid the foundation of a series of discussions in the coming weeks as ULFA is learnt to have not laid down any major pre-conditions for talks.

“The issue of sovereignty per se should not be seen as a pre-condition”, she said.

Dr Goswami’s discussions with the Prime Minister assume significance, especially in view of Dr Singh’s scheduled visit to the state in the last week of November.

“I understand that he will have to find out some middle path and some solution after consulting all parties and experts. However, without the sovereignty issue, ULFA leaders are unlikely to come”, she said.

Dr Goswami, however, made it clear that her job was limited to bringing the ULFA leadership to the negotiating table with the government.

“But I am willing to help, if they want it later”, she added.

She also said that no timeframe had yet been fixed for the formal process of negotiations to start as it is a “very long process and things have not gone to that level”.

“The formal process may start this year ( 2004) or may spill over to next year (2005). Nothing is certain as of now”, Dr Goswami said.

Dr Goswami has been in constant touch with ULFA leader Paresh Barua, who is believed to have conveyed certain messages to the government through her.

She was not willing to come on record on any of these issues.

It is believed that the ULFA is willing to negotiate with the Centre directly instead of going through the state government.