FINANCIAL TIMES: FIRST PERSON: SHEIK ABDUL-RAHMAN AL-MARWANY
Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Marwany was a lawyer in Yemen when he left his job to form Dar al-Salaam (House of Peace), an organization with the goal of reducing tribal warfare in Yemen. He traveled to tribes and learned about their grievances and urged over 185 peace settlements. In 2000, his work expanded to covering Islamic extremism. He believes that by listening to the warring sides, peace can be possible.
Question to the Blogosphere: What do you think of al-Marwany’s tactics to get peace agreements? Do you think that he is able to use humor in his discussions with groups because of his own identity? Could this work be done by an outsider? Do you think that his work could be replicated in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or the Palestinian Territories? Should it be the responsibility of the central government to deal with tribal violence and Islamic extremism, or is it more effective to use individuals and private enterprises?
LOS ANGELES TIMES: U.S., IRAN OFFICIALS MEET AT CONFERENCE ON AFHGANISTAN
Yesterday at The Hague, senior U.S. official, Richard Holbrooke, met with an Iranian diplomat during an international conference here Tuesday, marking the Obama administration’s biggest overture so far to the Islamic Republic. This gesture represented an early move in President Obama’s effort to reestablish dialogue after 30 years of hostility. Though negotiations have not begun or been hinted at by the Iranians, the meeting shows that the Iranians are interested in what the U.S. has to offer them. A senior State Department official, who declined to be identified, citing the sensitivity of the closed discussions, said that although Iran expressed some grievances with the U.S., its tone was warmer than it has been in the past.
Question to the Blogosphere: Why do you think Iranian officials are now more willing to meet with U.S. officials? Do you think reaching common ground with the Iranians is possible and, if so, what are the benefits of a renewed relationship for Iran and the U.S.? Do you think that we should be talking to the Iranians?
BBC NEWS: SARKOZY OUTLINES CONGO PEACE PLAN
The region around the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plagued by rival militias for more than a decade. On his visit to the African continent this week, French President Sarkozy suggested Kinshasa and its Great Lakes neighbours work together for mutual benefit. Preparations for Sarkozy‘s visit were overshadowed by comments he made in January when he suggested that the Democratic Republic of the Congo share its mineral wealth with Rwanda as a way to end violence around the main eastern city of Goma, triggering uproar in the Congo. Today Mr. Sarkozy also praised as “brave” the Congolese leader’s decision to invite Rwandan troops into his country in January for a five-week joint operation against rebel militias plaguing the neighbours’ border, a politically sensitive issue.
People in Kinshasa interviewed by French radio seemed unimpressed by Mr Sarkozy’s visit.
One man said: “Here, we do not depend on France, we do not depend on Belgium, we depend on ourselves.”
Question to the Blogosphere: What do you think should be the role of former-colonizers in the former colonies, especially in Africa? What is unique about France in general and Nicolas Sarkozy in particular that could benefit or hurt efforts for peace in the war-torn region of the Congo? Do you think sustainable peace is possible in the Demoratic Republic of the Congo? If not, what factors prevent peace in the region?
CNN: COMMON GROUND DURING UNCOMMON ECONOMIC TIMES
The financial crisis may cause strife in marital relationships as times get tough, but for one divorced couple, it brought them together. Struggling to make ends meet, trying to dig themselves out of debt, Nicole Thompson-Arce and her new husband have moved in with her ex-husband. She and her ex-husband had had a messy divorce involving a custody dispute. But once they ironed out that battle, agreeing to joint custody, Thompson-Arce said they were able to move on and forward. Finances remained shaky and digging themselves out of debt seemed insurmountable for Thompson-Arce and her new husband, so her ex offered to have the couple move into his 3-bedroom house with him and the two daughters from the first marriage.
Besides the economic savings, the benefits are many. No longer do they have to shuttle Victoria, 7, and Caitlyn, 6, between two households. As a team, they can parent and be on the same page. Finding a baby sitter is never a problem. They take turns making meals, which they all share.
Click here to see Mrs. Thompson-Arce’s iReport on CNN.
Question to the Blogosphere: Do you know of other incidences in which the economic crisis has brought families and friends together? Do you think it is rare that a divorced couple can get along enough to raise their kids in under the same roof? Common ground is often hard to find because conflicts tend to hurt people personally and therefore they do not want to look for common ground. How much does this statement translate to international disputes?
THE NEW YORK TIMES: PALESTINIANS SERENADE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS IN ISRAEL
Youths from the Jenin refugee camp came to Tel Aviv yesterday to play music for Holocaust survivors. The Jenin refugee camp produces many suicide bombers and other terrorists, but yesterday the politics of the conflict were put aside.
Any potential awkwardness may have been dulled by the language barrier — other than Ms. Younis, the Palestinians spoke only Arabic; the survivors only Hebrew and their native European tongues. Each also appeared to have only the sketchiest knowledge about the other side.
Question to the Blogosphere: Do you think that exercises in building peace such as this concert can decrease tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians? There were many risks for bringing these two groups together, how can we measure whether an effort to search for common ground is worth the risk? Is there a tradeoff between risk and success? Many of the children, ages 12-17, did not know much about the Holocaust, do you think it could help the peace process if Palestinians were made more aware of the history of their neighbors? Is language necessary to build common ground, or can music transcend language barriers?
UPDATE: The New York Times presented on March 30th an article about this event, which was recently condemned by Palestinians in West Bank. The director of the music program, an Israeli Arab, is not being allowed back to her apartment in Jenin.
UPDATE II: The orchestra from Jenin has been disbanded by the Palestinian Authority for their performance in Israel!
THE NEW YORK TIMES: STRIKING FRENCH WORKERS RELEASE 3M MANAGER
In France, the economic downturn has led to a labor crisis in which workers are frustrated, layoffs are skyrocketing, and violent responses to the economic crisis are increasing. Yesterday, after negotiations between labor representatives and and management of a 3Mfactory in France, the manager of the Pithiviers factory, Luc Rousselet, was released as a hostage by the workers. Today the negotiations about recent layoffs at the company will continue.
Question to the Blogosphere: What tactics do you think the management had to use to negotiate the safe release of Rousselet? Do you think there is a possibility for common ground between the workers and management in France? Do you think the French culture makes it harder to reach this common ground as there is a history of protest and rioting there? What role do you think the economic crisis plays in negotiations around the world?
