The Prospects For Peacemakers

Sir, - Kevin Myer's gloomy analysis of the problems of conflict resolution (An Irishman's Diary, October 25th) misses the mark…

Sir, - Kevin Myer's gloomy analysis of the problems of conflict resolution (An Irishman's Diary, October 25th) misses the mark. What is at issue is not the hopelessness of peacemaking. Instead it is the general failure to realise the scale of the challenge and the effort that needs to be put in to make peace work.

While violence may sometimes end a war, it never creates peace unless the victory is so overwhelming that the victors can quote Tacitus: "They make it a desert and they call it peace." And even then there are usually enough survivors to carry hatred through to future generations.

The signing of the treaty at the end of a conflict does not mean that peace has arrived. It means, rather, that the opportunity to build peace is now present. Usually the peace-building must start by dealing with the hatreds, fears, bitterness and suspicion created by violence.

But it can be done in time. The French and Germans, learning from earlier mistakes, created the European Community to ensure that war would not recur between them. Irish history itself provides evidence that bitterness and division can be overcome. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, descendants of the two sides in a brutal and often bitter civil war, now settle their differences in the chamber of the Dail or on the hustings at elections and referenda. The lesson is that peace does not come easily. To succeed, all parts of society must put as much effort and resources into building peace as we do to waging war.

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There must be created a determination among ordinary people to play their part in promoting understanding and awareness of "the other side" and their history, culture and fears, matched by the determination of governments to encourage and adequately resource this endeavour.

Peace-building may not be easy, but with proper planning, management and resources it is possible. - Yours, etc.,

Tony Kennedy, Chief Executive, Co-operation Ireland, Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.