Imposing mediated solutions to regional conflicts

Implementation

In the case of international disputes, specialists in conflict management in the 1990s favour a get touch approach in contrast to the traditional painstaking negotiation procedure whereby the mediator proposes an independent solution and uses threat to impose it on the parties to the dispute. Although one or both sides may dislike the proposal, each is expected to prefer it to confronting the combined strength of its opponent and the mediator. This has worked in some instances such as Rhodesia and Bosnia. With respect to Kosovo, it appeared to have failed.

Counter-claim

Forceful mediation can appear dubious on moral and practical grounds. Nothing gives the mediator the right to dictate and coerce acceptance of peace terms in a foregin civil war. Nor are such externally imposed terms likely to hold without a prolonged and overwhelming military preence.