Dealing with armed groups - the practical challenges: support in negotiation practice
Oslo Forum Background Paper
Not all conflict parties are aware of the demands of and strategies for successful diplomacy. A positive and sustainable mediation outcome may be at risk if one or more parties lack strategic vision or practical skills to represent their interests and positions in a formal negotiation setting. Gorman and Le Sage raise important questions as to what options are available to mediators to intervene in order to create the necessary preconditions for compromise, and what risks are associated with such additional engagement and support to the parties.