It was seen as the starting point of rebuilding many things, notably trust among the people living in the CHT. But the provisions incorporated in the accord still remain unfulfilled. To begin with, the constitutional changes required to implement the accord in its totality have not been effected. It seems the change of government in 2001 has led to dissipation of the momentum, vital for the implementation of agreements on different issues, though the BNP, on assumption of power, had committed itself to full implementation of the accord. The AL government had made limited headway in ensuring the accord's implementation in the four years since signing it in December 1997.

The unresolved issues are tricky, and their resolution crucial to durable peace in the region. The controversy over voters' list persists, and land survey and settlement are still elusive goals. So what have we accomplished with the accord in the past seven years? It seems even the psychological block in the form of mistrust could not be eliminated over such a long period of time.

Shantu Larma, the PCJSS leader who had led the pro-peace elements among the indigenous CHT people during negotiations with the government has set a six-point demand in order to get the agreement fully implemented waxing critical of the government's role. Some of his demands merit attention. However, indigenous leaders should also address the issue of in-fighting which is a major threat to stability and a roadblock to speedy implementation of the accord. They must strive to attain a minimum degree of unanimity among themselves on the thorny issues. The implementation of the accord and establishment of the rights of all groups, will not be possible in the present atmosphere of discord.

Peace in the CHT is crucially important not only for the region, but also to the nation as whole. The CHT has great development potential which can be exploited only through concerted efforts on the part of all concerned in a peaceful, stable situation.