| This dissertation evaluates the role played by individual mediators in peace negotiations to determine which factors need to be present for success. Although much has been written about ways to negotiate agreements, little of the literature emphasized the importance of the specific role played by mediators who negotiate peace agreements to end civil wars and ethnic conflicts. These people risk their reputations and sometimes their lives, attempting to bring peace to a conflict-riddled world. Has so little been written about these peace-brokers because their contributions are not valued, or merely because their roles are not fully appreciated?; Five successful mediations were analyzed to determine which characteristics individual mediators shared in common and under what circumstances were their efforts successful. I personally interviewed all five mediators and asked each one the same set of thirty-three questions, and evaluated other source material. The five mediators chosen were Dr. Henry A. Kissinger (Egyptian/Israeli and Syrian/Israeli Separation of Forces Agreements), Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez (Nicaragua - Esquipulas II Agreement), Dr. Chester A. Crocker (Nambia - Brazzaville Protocol), Alvaro de Soto (El Salvador - Mexico City Agreement) and Senator George J. Mitchell (Northern Ireland - Good Friday Agreement).; Several conclusions were reached as the result of analyzing these cases. They are that the mediator will be successful in reaching agreements for complex international conflicts if he or she (1) has the personality, force of character, skills and accomplishments that are respected by both sides; (2) is viewed by the parties to the conflict as being procedurally unbiased and having integrity (principle) so that both sides feel the process will be fair; (3) has sufficient management and leadership skills and an understanding of group dynamics; (4) brings with him or acquires sufficient and significant political resources that can be brought to bear on the problem; (5) intervenes at the "ripe moment"; and additionally (6) all five of the above conditions are met.; The cases demonstrate that in the resolution of complex international conflicts, the individual mediator is one of the keys to the successful conclusion of the conflict, and a "difference maker" when the other factors are present. |
