• And it became a backward slide in terms of peacemaking.

Still, I’ve appealed to them that I’m ready to talk.

• But do you put conditions for talking?

No, I said without conditions. Let them fight. I’m ready to talk to them. I said they can keep their weapons, keep the fight going, but we will talk.

• Now what are you saying?

Now, we can’t allow that to happen. Either we continue like this . . .

• Fighting?

Fighting, and we can start the talks. Let them do whatever they want.

• You mean without a ceasefire.

Yes. I’m ready to talk to them.

• You are not offering a ceasefire.

There is a ceasefire on at the moment. It is being implemented. They have violated it.

• Let me get this clear. You are now saying you don’t need a ceasefire, you can talk on the sides.

I’m ready to do that because I want peace in the country. I don’t want a ceasefire.

• So you are not insisting that they first drop their arms before negotiations.

No, if he is ready to fight with me and if he thinks this is the best way of negotiating, let him continue with the violence. We are ready to talk to them, but we have to attack them if they attack us. Otherwise I will not.

• How do you react to you description as a hawk?

This is what some western media and some allied groups . . .

... contd.