The turnaround may be a result of pressure from the military chief

But now a statement - issued at the behest of the group's military wing chief Paresh Barua - says Ulfa will insist on the fulfilment of three preconditions to start talks with the Indian Government.

Two of them are clearly unacceptable to Delhi.

Talks scuttled

Mr Rajkhowa is believed to be a moderate, while Paresh Barua is reported to be a hardliner.

In 1991, Mr Rajkhowa even flew to Delhi with some Ulfa leaders to open talks with the Indian Government.

Ulfa pre-conditions

Agenda for talks must include Assam's sovereignty Talks must be held in foreign country Talks to be held under UN

But Mr Barua threatened the moderate leaders with dire consequences and scuttled the negotiations, forcing Mr Rajkhowa to return underground.

Assam's Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi welcomed Mr Rajkhowa's statement and said he was willing to carry forward the peace process.

Contradicting statement

But within four days, Ulfa's publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary - believed to be close to the military wing chief Paresh Barua - has come out with a statement saying Ulfa will only open talks if Delhi met three of its preconditions.

These are inclusion of Assam's sovereignty in the agenda for talks, holding the talks in a foreign country and holding them under the aegis of the United Nations.

''That's back to square one,'' according to Assam Government officials who argue that if the military wing does not agree to back talks without preconditions, there is not much the chairman could do.

Intelligence officials say confusion maybe deliberate

Even if Delhi agrees to negotiate outside the country, it is unlikely that it would agree to discuss Assam's sovereignty and allow UN mediation.

Intelligence officials however say that Ulfa is under severe pressure to dismantle their bases in Bhutan.

They say the rebel leadership may be deliberately trying to create confusion to cover their retreat from the Himalayan kingdom.