Bangkok Post

May 25, 2000

INDIA/NAGA CONFLICT

Delayed trial could shatter fragile peace

International observers at the trial in Bangkok of Thingaleng Muivah, and

Indian insurgent leader, have expressed concern that delays could affect the fragile peace between the Indian government and the rebe1s in Nagaland.

Muivah is serving a one-year prison sentence for possessing a false passport and is currently being tried for illegal entry.

His trail opened on Thursday in the presence of prominent international observers from Europe and the US.

These included delegates from the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisatiion, an international organisation based in The Hague, the International Federation for the Protection of the Rights of Ethnic, Linguistic and other Minorities in New York, and the Transnational Radical Party (TRP), a Europe-based political party and NGO.

Olivier Dapuis, general secretary of TRP said his organisation had followed the peace process between the Indian government and the Naga movement, and is concerned that the detention of Muivah may jeopardise the fragile negotiations since he is the principal negotiator in the talks, which have been held at prime ministerial level.

The court case is a technical one concerning the use of improper travel documents, but the political ramifications are considerable, Mr Dupuis

said.

Muivah was represented at the trial by a high profile team of Thai lawyers co-ordinated by Somchai Homla-or, secretary-general of Forum Asia.

The Naga leader pleaded guilt to using false travel documents, but said he was compelled to do so to travel to Europe where he engaged in negotiations with representatives of the Prime Minister of India.

He said he had no alternative, since he did nor possesses a passport or other travel documents.

High-level talks between the Indian government and Nagaland started three years ago, leading to a cease-fire which ended more than 50 years of bloody warfare.