India and Nagaland insurgent group agree to extend ceasfire at talks

Описание: (31 Jan 2006)

1. Wide of K. Padmanabhaiah, Indian negotiator, signing agreement, sat beside Thuingaleng Muivah, NSCN Secretary General and surrounded by officials
2. Cutaway of official
3. Padmanabhaiah signing agreement
4. Close up of Padmanabhaiah
5. Cutaway of official
6. Padmanabhaiah passes agreement to Muivah to sign
7. Cutaway of official
8. Muivah signing agreement
9. Wide of Muivah signing agreement
10. Cutaway of official
11. Cutaway of reporter asking question
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) K. Padmanabhaiah, Indian government negotiator:
"The only difference was that I was asking for twelve months with this one (points to agreement), but ultimately we decided on a six months one."
13. Cutaway of officials
14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Thuingaleng Muivah, Secretary General of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland:
"Among the Nagas, in our society, Hoho (Naga tribal leaders) is most respected. And I cannot go ahead without at least respecting their views, and their concerns. We belong to the Nagas people and in many ways Nagas Hoho's represents the people. So we have especially respect for them. Otherwise you know, I will be facing opposition from them."
15. Various wide exteriors of Hotel Intercontinental where four-day negotiations took place
16. Padmanabhaiah shaking hands with Nagas officials
17. Mid shot of Muivah getting into van
18. Cutaway of official
19. Muivah leaves

STORYLINE:

The Indian government and Naga rebels agreed to extend a cease-fire for six months on Tuesday at the conclusion of peace talks being held in the Thai capital.

New Delhi and the main faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland, or NSCN, will meanwhile continue to seek a political solution to
the Nagas' demand for an autonomous homeland, said the Indian government's representative after four days of talks in Bangkok.

The ceasefire arrangement was due to expire on Tuesday.

The negotiators signed the agreement, which also called for India to tighten its control over its own forces during the cessation of hostilities.

No date was set for new talks.

Both sides claimed they were happy with the outcome as it will allow them to continue to pursue a workable solution.

The Indian representative indicated that they would have liked the ceasefire to have been extended to a full year rather than 6 months.

The Naga leader seemed to indicate that progress was made after some Hoho's or Naga tribal leaders got involved in the process.

He also warned that there were factions in Nagaland, perhaps getting support from Indian army sources, who are trying to disrupt the negotiations.

The talks stretched out over the weekend at Bangkok's Intercontinental Hotel, and Thailand has indicated it is ready to host a new round should the parties decide to reconvene here.

Many Naga exiles have made homes in Thailand.

The rebels want a special status for Nagaland state, which borders Myanmar and is where most of the 2 (m) million Nagas live in predominantly Hindu India.

Most Nagas are Christians.

Violence has subsided since the rebels entered a truce agreement with government forces nine years ago.

Until the group began negotiating with the Indian government in 1997, it demanded an independent homeland.

For the past several years, however, it has been pressing for the merger of Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast with Nagaland state.

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