The Hindu : Bhutan invites militant leaders for talks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003

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Bhutan invites militant leaders for talks

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

The King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, with the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI SEPT. 15. The King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, said today that his Government had decided to invite leaders of three militant groups, who maintained camps on the Bhutanese territory, for talks to Thimpu to resolve this contentious issue peacefully.

During his talks with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the King said a decision to invite the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) for talks had been taken by the National Assembly on Bhutan in October.

A press release from the Bhutan Embassy quoted the King as hoping that the problem would be solved peacefully by removing the camps forcibly established by the militant groups.

According to the release, he stressed it was "important to understand" that Bhutan and India had been working very closely together to solve the militant problem over the past few years.

"He (the King) said that so long as the Government of Bhutan and the Government of India work closely together, and so long as Bhutan has the goodwill, friendship and support of India, he was confident that the problem can be resolved in the near future," the release added.

The King, who called on the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to prepare a detailed project report for the 870 MW Punatsangchu hydro-electric project.

In a related development, the Foreign Secretary, Kanwal Sibal, said this evening that the presence of militant groups on the Bhutanese soil could pose a threat to the Bhutanese society.

In response to questions, Mr. Sibal maintained that Bhutan's preference was to hold discussions with the insurgency groups to ensure their exit from that country.

If the militant groups did not agree to dismantle the camps peacefully, then Bhutan could take recourse to military action. "We are interested in ensuring that this insurgency is dealt with definitively," he remarked.

The Foreign Secretary maintained that the King's visit was essentially a "goodwill" mission. He said that India-Bhutan relations were "almost exemplary".

Speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Bhutanese dignitary, Dr. Kalam said he was happy to note that the institutions and processes of participatory democracy were being strengthened in Bhutan.

"Power and authority are being increasingly devolved to the grassroots level. A written Constitution is being drafted, debated and discussed in the councils of state and among the ordinary people. All this is happening under Your Majesty's guidance and direction..."

"We are all aware that recent years have witnessed an upsurge in terrorism, insurgency and extremist activities globally as well as in our region ... democratic societies cannot succumb to violence and terror unleashed by disgruntled elements. I am glad that our two countries are cooperating closely in addressing these issues," the President added.

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