GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that the door was still open for negotiations with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) though it was yet to respond positively to the peace overtures by the Centre.

The Chief Minister expressed the hope that peace would dawn in the New Year and the militant outfit would come to the negotiation table. For the first time the Centre had offered safe passage to top ULFA leaders, he told reporters.

Asked about the ULFA's insistence on the release of five jailed leaders, Mr. Gogoi said this could be done if they communicated their willingness to hold direct talks. ``They [the ULFA] want the release of the jailed leaders to decide about the Centre's offer which means that they have not yet decided to sit for direct talks. Under the circumstance, how can we release the jailed leaders? What the State Government or the Government of India wanted from them is a communiqu‚ from ULFA expressing willingness to sit for direct talks. Once we receive it, there can be no problem in releasing the jailed ULFA leaders.''

Asked about the security measures for the National Games, to be held in Guwahati, in the wake of the ULFA's boycott call, the Chief Minister said all steps had been taken by the Government for the smooth and safe conduct of the Games from February 9 to 18. He said the successful conduct of the Games would boost Assam's image in the country and abroad.

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