DIMAPUR, May 27 � Against the backdrop of the absence of the NSCN -IM at the ongoing Naga reconciliation meet at Chiang Mai in Thailand, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) held a meeting with the highest leaders of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) led by Chairman Gen (Retd) Khole Konyak and General Secretary Kitovi Zhimomi and the NNC/FGN led by President Brig (Retd) Singnya and Vice President Zhopra Vero Saturday.
According to a statement issued by FNR, the leaders of the two groups present expressed, in no uncertain terms, their regrets over the inability of NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th Muivah to participate in the much awaited moment. However, they are reported to have said, �We missed their presence but we are not discouraged.�
They also ascertained that it will not be, in the words of Kitovi Zhimomi and endorsed by Zhopra Vero, �appropriate in the absence of the NSCN-IM to take any decisions affecting the future of the Nagas, which must be deeply rooted in the historical and political rights of the Nagas, as established by the pioneering leaders of the Naga political movements�. Brig Singnya reiterated that they �stand by their commitment to reconcile and unite�.
The leaders of the two political groups are also jointly of the view that another meeting of the highest level leaders must be convened. �Another meeting of the highest level leaders must be convened at a mutually convenient location for all the leaders to meet at the earliest possible time,� they are quoted as saying.
FNR said they agreed that �our differences need to be sorted out face to face... without it, all our talks will not bear fruit.� Brig Singnya further stated that �we need to harvest together,� while Kitovi Zhimomi asked, �Reconciliation has been achieved, but where is our (Naga) political will?�
The FNR statement said all present agreed that if there were no problems or difficulties, there would be no need for reconciliatory initiatives. They expressed that �since we are faced with numerous problems, we are trying to resolve them through collective understanding, for which we have been undertaking this �Journey of Common Hope�.�
