Morung Express News
August 5
DIMAPUR : Nobel Laureate and former President of the United States Jimmy Carter has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to push the peace dialogue with the NSCN (IM) in order to bring about an acceptable solution which would assure the rights of the Naga people while safeguarding the security of India. In a letter addressed to the Manmohan Singh date June 18, 2005, Carter also took the opportunity to express gratitude for the leadership shown by Singh in addressing the Indo-Naga conflict. “I am pleased to have this opportunity to address you and to commend your wise and courageous leadership as the prime Minister of India”, Carter wrote. Jimmy Carter, who was the 39th President of the United States of America (1977-1981) in his letter, stated that he was aware of the Naga people and their struggle and had taken a keen interest in the current dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN. Citing the joint communiqué issued from Amsterdam in July 11, 2002, Carter wrote that ‘great progress’ had been made in the formal talks since then. “I am writing today to you and the NSCN leaders to express my appreciation to both parties for the initiative being taken towards a peaceful and lasting resolution”, he stated.
It may be mentioned that Amsterdam Joint Communiqué Carter was referring to was issued by the Government of India’s special representative-cum-chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah following peace talks in Amsterdam from July 9 – 11, 2002. The significance of this Communiqué was the New Delhi’s recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas and the NSCN-IM leadership expressing its willingness to hold peace talks within India.
Writing on behalf of his wife Rosalynn and other colleagues at the Carter Center, the former US President wished success to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards reaching a lasting and honorable solution “you have worked so hard to accomplish”.
Carter, a Baptist Christian received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.”
Later, Carter became a University Distinguished Professor at Emory University and founded The Carter Center. Carter is renowned for his efforts to resolve conflict, promote democracy, and protect human rights and prevention of disease. The Carter Center has been engaged in conflict mediation in a number of countries including Ethiopia, North Korea, Liberia, Sudan and Uganda. The Carter Center also hosted the Naga Atlanta Talks in 1997 during which member of NNC, NSCN-K, Naga Church leaders and some Naga individuals participated.
President Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes for themselves. He also teaches Sunday school and is a deacon in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains. For recreation, he enjoys fly-fishing, woodworking, cycling, tennis, and skiing. The Carters have three sons, one daughter, eight grandsons, and three granddaughters.
