Iraq and the Basic Principles of Conflict Resolution

[The Sushi Bandit]

Iraq and the Basic Principles of Conflict Resolution - A Paper by Richard E. Rubenstein

Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution - George Mason University

Aug 18, 2006

Congressman Kucinich would like to call your attention to a recent article by Richard E. Rubenstein, Professor of Conflict Resolution and Public Affairs at George Mason University. Rubenstein starts by saying,

"Iraq is not 'on the verge of' a civil war. Three thousand Iraqis have died in civil strife in the past month alone. Iraqi society is disintegrating, a tragedy for which our nation’s current policies bear major responsibility. The urgent question is how this bloodbath can be ended. To answer it we must make the U.S. government aware of some of the basic principles of conflict analysis and resolution -- principles that have proven highly effective in addressing violent conflicts between bitterly opposed ethic, religious, and national groups around the world."

Rubenstein continues, "Conflict resolvers understand that the deep-rooted problems generating destructive political, economic, ethnic, and religious conflicts can rarely be solved by violence or the threat of violence ... Today, many government officials and political commentators maintain that a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would produce unlimited civil war. We answer that only the end of the occupation and the initiation of genuine, autonomous conflict resolution processes can help to end that war ...

"Even within the Bush administration, elements of the government have begun to realize that coercive intervention cannot resolve deep-rooted social conflicts, and that violence in fact makes conflict-generating problems worse."

Rubenstein then suggests five principles of conflict resolution that, he says, "Experts in conflict resolution deem essential to the construction of a peaceful, autonomous, developing Iraq."

Concluding this brief, two-page paper, Rubenstein writes, "With sentiment growing in the U.S. Congress for an end to American and Iraqi losses in that war-torn land, this seems a good time to make them known to U.S. policymakers."

We urge you to read the full article, made available here by permisssion of the author.
http://www.kucinich.us/downloads/Iraq_Conflict_Res.pdf

http://www.kucinich.us/

[eridani]

1. Dennis can always pick 'em n/t

[The Sushi Bandit]

2. It's a great read!

"Iraqi society is disintegrating"

[The Sushi Bandit]

3. Sunday kick