Talking to Groups that Use Terror.pdf - United States Institute of Peace

Step 4Foster Commitment to theProcessOnce talks have been initiated—and assuming they do not promptlyreveal that the PAG is merely seeking a temporary breathing space orotherwise acting in bad faith—the mediator or negotiator should seek tonurture the terrorists’ fledgling and fragile confidence in the efficacy oftalking as opposed to fighting. This section examines how to accomplishthis step.All mediation efforts, of course, need to cultivate commitment to themediation process, but the challenge is greater when dealing withterrorists because they have chosen to operate outside conventionalpolitical and diplomatic channels, lack expertise and experience inbargaining, are hostile to the notion of trading concessions, are acutelysuspicious of the mediator, and regard—and are themselves regardedby—the other parties as illegitimate. All these obstacles to productive talksare even higher in the case of direct negotiations between a terrorist groupand the government against which it is fighting.Nonetheless, by seeking to influence a PAG’s calculations of whatviolence can and cannot achieve, strengthening moderates within thePAG, acknowledging and addressing grievances within the PAG’s widerconstituency, and encouraging track II learning the mediator can nurturea growing faith in the engagement process and a correspondingdiminishing conviction in the efficacy of violence.57