The 'peace' virus<\/p>\n
God bless those who never gave up hope and are full of
\ngoodwill.<\/p>\n
For many of this generation, the conflicts in Aceh and
\nNorthern Ireland have been a staple part of their general
\nconsciousness. For those living in these conflict areas, the
\nantagonism that has prevailed has consumed a whole generation
\nwith hate and suffering.<\/p>\n
The recent announcements of a peace deal in Aceh and the Irish
\nRepublican Army's (IRA) historic renunciation of violence are not
\ndirectly related. Nevertheless, they are good news, inspiring
\nhope that years of enmity can be brought to a close.<\/p>\n
Delegates from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian
\ngovernment last month drafted a peace deal that will be formally
\nsigned in two weeks' time. Meanwhile, the IRA unilaterally
\nannounced last week that it was abandoning its armed campaign
\nagainst British rule in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Warmongers, critics and peace spoilers may place caveats on
\nthe chances of sustained peace, with negative news reports
\ncynically highlighting minor snags that do not reflect the
\noverall picture. However, this should not cloud what is an
\nhistoric opportunity to prevent further unnecessary deaths.<\/p>\n
For many years, politicians and diplomats have argued who was
\nright, and what was wrong; about ideology and history; about
\nhigher causes, filled with a sense of their own righteousness.<\/p>\n
As we look ahead to the challenge of a sustained peace, none
\nof this rhetoric seems to matter as much.<\/p>\n
These developments could prove once again that with patience,
\ngoodwill and a principal desire for peace, any political rivalry,
\nno matter how divergent, can be negotiated and overcome.<\/p>\n
Ideologues should also recognize that the credibility of their
\nstruggle comes not from a barrel of a gun, but success at the
\nballot box. Whatever their cause, its legitimacy can only be
\nreinforced through democratic mechanisms.<\/p>\n
True, there is no perfect system. And the inability to absorb
\nindigenous voices often leads to upheaval. But while there is no
\nperfect system, by working -- often painstakingly -- from within,
\none can hope to address long-term fundamental change. This is the
\npolitical essence of what has been achieved in Aceh and Northern
\nIreland.<\/p>\n
The detractors -- whether they are in GAM or the military, the
\nIRA or the Democratic Unionist Party -- work using established
\nprocesses to exact change. However, the status quo should also
\nprovide all groups with an equal opportunity to compete in a fair
\npolitical process.<\/p>\n
Without this common recognition, these momentous decisions of
\nJuly 2005 will become nothing more than historical letdowns.<\/p>\n
In the coming year, a lot of political sacrifices will have to
\nmade to ensure a true peace is realized. All sides will have to
\nswallow some pride in order for compromises to be reached. But
\nthese sacrifices are trivial compared to what the people on the
\nfront lines of these conflicts have suffered.<\/p>\n
Pride, over time, can be regained. Not so a life nor a limb.<\/p>\n
Sustained peace is not only the greatest gift that can be
\ngiven to the peoples of Aceh and Northern Ireland, it is also a
\ngift to the whole world.<\/p>\n
If the parties involved can show they can bury the hatchet and
\nwork for peace despite decades of conflict, it is an example to
\nother areas in the world that a resolution can be sought without
\nthe pursuit of force.<\/p>\n
Though there may be different nuances, the ingredients in the
\nyears of strife in Aceh and Northern Ireland are generally the
\nsame as those in other conflicts around the world -- they involve
\ncontrasts in religion, competing ethnicities, economic
\nindifference, the ruler and the oppressed.<\/p>\n
Whether it be Palestine, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, the southern
\nPhilippines or tribal rivalry in Africa, we are hopeful that the
\nrecent intent to pursue peace in Aceh and Northern Ireland will
\nbecome a benign virus that will positively infect other prolonged
\nrivalries and conflicts.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-peace-virus-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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