| Nobel winner roots for Naga Reconciliation |
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 DIMAPUR, DEC 9 (EMN): International support is pouring in for the Forum For Naga Reconciliation (FNR) with none other than Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu showing solidarity to the Naga’s struggle for identity through renewed efforts of reconciliation.
The FNR in a press communiqué issued today acknowledged the support and encouragement shown by the Archbishop, which, it said, has further given a boost to the significant progress achieved during the Chiang Mai VII meet for Naga Reconciliation: A Journey of Common Hope. The Archbishop wrote to the FNR on December 1 while the VII Chiang Mai meet was in progress. Earlier, the FNR informed, Dr. Neville Callam, general secretary, Baptist World Alliance (BWA), had in his letter of encouragement to the Nagas gathered in Chiang Mai urged them to continue their ‘efforts to achieve the level of reconciliation that will give glory to God.’ Dr. Neville Callam had written: ‘I wait to celebrate with you the culmination of your efforts toward reconciliation.’ The Forum for Reconciliation further reminded of the letter from Nobel Peace laureate, President Jimmy Carter, on May 11, 2008, in which he urged the Nagas ‘to be faithful to the Lord in seeking to be reconciled with each other’ and prayed for peace for the Naga people and a mutually agreed peaceful settlement of the conflict between the Nagas and the government of India, adding that ‘a peaceful negotiated process is the only way forward.’ The FNR observed that everywhere in Naga areas, there is a unanimous voice crying for reconciliation and a solution to our struggle based on the ‘historical and political rights of the Nagas’ and at this crucial juncture every step taken by the Nagas would be crucial. ‘Today, without a doubt, we all can testify to the fact that Nagas are nearing the destination – we can almost see it on the horizon. But before then, what we do and how we act now is going to be absolutely crucial,’ the FNR statement read. Stressing on the significance of reconciliation at this point of Naga history, the FNR said experience has taught us that all forms of offensive activities can be very damaging and confronting the powers of hate and destruction, hopeless. ‘We have taken the giant step to do away with violence and thus we are no longer sedated. From despair we are singing the songs of hope’, the FNR states adding ‘Our hope is build upon the promise that the new is emerging. God will stay with us at all times.’ To the Naga political groups, the FNR pointed out that Naga people have offered them forgiveness, gratitude, and an understanding of their difficulties. ‘This is the mature fruits of their (people’s) cries. They offer us mature fruits for our conversion –saying a resolute yes to our people, so that we may find salvation,’ the Forum stressed while congratulating the signatories of the “Covenant of Reconciliation” for choosing the new path to that realization. The FNR concluded - We are called to be people of hope. Together we can face our despairs –personal, governmental and global. We are not alone. We have each other. Together we can carry each other’s difficulties and help each other break through our paralysis by sharing our helplessness and by leading each other to sincerity of heart on the Journey of Common Hope,’ 
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