The buoyed Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) said that Desmond Tutu’s letter has further strengthened the ongoing Naga reconciliation process.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was instrumental in dismantling the South Africa’s Apartheid movement under the leadership of Dr Nelson Mandela more than two decades ago, expressed his concern for the Naga cause in his missive to the Nagaleaders.
Naga leaders had gathered at Chiang Mai in Thailand from November 30 to December 3 last year for the seventh time under the aegis of Forum for NagaReconciliation participating in the event with the theme – ‘Naga Reconciliation-a jouney of common hope’.
“It is when we dehumanise others that we invariably dehumanise ourselves and lose self respect”, said Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu in a lengthy letter addressed to leaders of FNR.
Tutu then stated that soon after its historic democratic elections, South Africa established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This was a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in a country that had been ravaged by unimaginable hurt, anger and hopelessness. It was a deliberate recognition that in order for the country to move forward from a period of violence it had to examine, acknowledge, and account for past violence committed by various groups. This process was necessary to assist in healing and restoring people’s dignity that had been trashed during the awful period of Apartheid’s injustice and oppression, DesmondTutu said.
“It is this recognition that gives me hope that as you embark on your journey, you will find healing and the courage to face the shadows that have stalked your people for a long time.Reconciliation is a process that does not happen overnight, but requires commitment and willingness to change and this can happen only on the basis of the truth. It is true that in reality there can be no future without forgiveness.
“I wish you success in your deliberations and pray that God grants you wisdom and protection during this important phase of your struggle,” concluded the South African leader’s letter.
Meanwhile, the FNR said, “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 recalled that in his May 11, 2008 letter to the Nagas, another Nobel Peace Laureate, Ex-American President Jimmy Carter, urged the Nagas “to be faithful to the Lord in seeking to be reconciled with each other…It is easy to recount the wrongs done by one side or the other. Finding the path to peace andreconciliation is difficult. It is a challenge to leadership….I pray for peace for the Naga people and a mutually agreed peaceful settlement of the conflict between the Nagas and the Government of India….a peaceful negotiated process is the only way forward.”
Dr Neville Callam, General Secretary, Baptist World Alliance (BWA), also in his letter to the Naga leaders gathered in Chiang Mai, on November 18, 2009, wrote, “On behalf of the Baptist World alliance, I write to encourage you to continue your efforts to achieve the level ofreconciliation that will give glory to God….I wait to celebrate with you the culmination of your efforts toward reconciliation.”
Newmai News Network
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