Positives amid disasters and conflicts

Positives amid disasters and conflicts

In 2005, mankind was taught a number of harsh life lessons by
natural disasters that struck with a force beyond human
comprehension.

But some moves are bringing rays of hope for the next year. In
Indonesia, the central government and an armed separatist group
in Aceh Province signed a peace agreement, while Indian and
Pakistani governments opened the Line of Control in Kashmir,
which both Pakistan and India claim sovereignty over.

The unprecedented natural disasters prompted parties involved
in two separate disputes to reconcile their differences.

A ray of hope also was seen in Iraq where gunfire never
ceases. Following the establishment of the new Constitution in
October...The election of the National Assembly was held in
December. The renaissance of Iraq by democratization is planned
to reach its final phase in 2006.
-- The Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo