₦airaland Forum

HungerBAD:
In a Civilized world, that is what leaders do and that is NEGOTIATE. We cannot kill or wish Boko Haram away, nice move PRESIDO.

HungerBAD:
I live in one.

And contrary to your beliefs or what you think you know. All Western Countries engage in negotiation with terrorists, but they do it through a third party country. For exampe, all negotiations between between IRAN and the United States is handled by a THIRD PARTY country Switzerland.

PFC Bowe Bergdahl, was a US Army held captive by the Taliban. His release was negotiated by Qatar. A little schooling or reading about INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS will broaden your horizon on how DEVELOPED Government works, and not the fire approach applied by past Presidents of Nigeria.

Buhari is on the RIGHT PATH.

atbu1983:
You hv been deceived by America Movies.
America Negotiate with Terrorist all d time. America is hippocrite.
America usually Negotiate through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other
ally in the Middle east.
Just last year America swop prisoners with Taliban through Qater
as the negotiator.
Currently America is considering allowing families of Victims to
negotiate ransome with terrorist as Family members of victims.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-
qatar-launch-talks-on-fate-of-taliban-officials-released-in-bergdahl-
swap/2015/04/30/e1b938b2-ef67-11e4-
a55f-38924fca94f9_story.html
Nt frm a weak side!
www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/06/24/obama-
clears-the-way-for-hostages-families-to-pay-ransom

gratiaeo:
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/07/03/boko-haram-we-are-open-to-negotiations-fg/


http://www.punchng.com/news/we-may-negotiate-with-boko-haram-says-presidency/

HungerBAD:
In a Civilized world, that is what leaders do and that is NEGOTIATE. We cannot kill or wish Boko Haram away, nice move PRESIDO.

HungerBAD:
In a Civilized world, that is what leaders do and that is NEGOTIATE. We cannot kill or wish Boko Haram away, nice move PRESIDO.

luthorcorp:
just as dog returnsto its vomits,so fools like you will always return to your folly, so u mean the same way your clueless gej tackled the the problem should still be maintained? hmmmm

[b]The argument against negotiating with terrorists is simple: Democracies must never give in to violence, and terrorists must never be rewarded for using it. Negotiations give legitimacy to terrorists and their methods and undermine actors who have pursued political change through peaceful means. Talks can destabilize the negotiating governments' political systems, undercut international efforts to outlaw terrorism, and set a dangerous precedent.

Yet in practice, democratic governments often negotiate with terrorists. The British government maintained a secret back channel to the Irish Republican Army even after the IRA had launched a mortar attack on 10 Downing Street that nearly eliminated the entire British cabinet in 1991. In 1988, the Spanish government sat down with the separatist group Basque Homeland and Freedom (known by its Basque acronym ETA) only six months after the group had killed 21 shoppers in a supermarket bombing. Even the government of Israel -- which is not known to be soft on terrorism -- has strayed from the supposed ban: in 1993, it secretly negotiated the Oslo accords even though the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) continued its terrorist campaign and refused to recognize Israel's right to exist.[/b]

When it comes to negotiating with terrorists, there is a clear disconnect between what governments profess and what they actually do. But the rigidity of the "no negotiations" stance has prevented any systematic exploration of how best to conduct such negotiations. How can a democratic government talk to terrorists without jeopardizing the integrity of its political system? What kinds of terrorists are susceptible to negotiations? When should negotiations be opened?

The key objective for any government contemplating negotiations with terrorists is not simply to end violence but to do so in a way that minimizes the risk of setting dangerous precedents and destabilizing its political system. Given this dual goal, a number of conditions must be met in order for talks to have even a chance of success. Assuming that negotiations are appropriate in all cases would be no more valid a theory than one that assumes they never are. . . .

It may be that some religiously inspired groups -- especially millenarian groups such as the Japanese organization Aum Shinrikyo -- are less rational than the IRA. But the multifaceted identities of many others are often falsely reduced to their religious component. Although Hamas and Hezbollah both promote religiously inspired radical political ideologies, they derive much of their strength from their claim to represent particular ethnic groups. Not only do they have real-world constituencies they must satisfy; they have also demonstrated that they can modulate their use of violence against Israel according to more or less rational political assessments.

Another factor in deciding whether to negotiate with a terrorist group should be its level of internal cohesion. Although terrorists tend to portray themselves as belonging to tightly knit outfits, the conditions under which they operate -- in particular, secrecy -- make it nearly impossible for them to maintain a perfect chain of command. Even in relatively hierarchical organizations, such as ETA, authority is often decentralized and the leadership acts as little more than a coordinating body. In terrorist networks such as al Qaeda, the leadership hardly plays any operational role at all, merely providing ideological inspiration and moral sanction to its associated networks.

As a result, a government must consider not only whether the terrorist leadership will accept the terms of a settlement but also whether it can control its rank and file. Although the IRA's Army Council, the group's decision-making body, always enjoyed substantial formal powers, some IRA units -- especially in rural parts of Northern Ireland -- regarded with skepticism the peace initiatives of Gerry Adams, the longtime leader of the IRA's political wing, and ignored council directives demanding that operations be scaled down ahead of elections in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Had the IRA leadership merely insisted on its authority, the organization might have split up. Instead, it persuaded the skeptics to support Adams' plan with a mixture of subtle threats and deception, arguing that laying down arms was a ruse to, as the investigative journalist Ed Moloney has put it, "expose the Brits." . . .

Additional difficulties arise when terrorists are sponsored by a state, in which case they may have little authority to make commitments without their backers' consent. In such situations, the negotiating government may decide that talking to the terrorists is futile and opt for negotiating with the sponsoring state instead. Before it makes this decision, however, it should thoroughly assess the relationship between the terrorist group and its state supporter. As Louise Richardson, a political scientist at Harvard University, points out, there are substantial differences between, say, the PLO, which has keenly preserved its internal autonomy despite accepting support from a number of states, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, a breakaway pro-Palestinian organization that is little more than Syria's proxy. For all its imperfections, the PLO is a political player with whom negotiations might make sense, whereas the PFLP-GC has too little authority to be a credible interlocutor . . .

Even then, governments must tread carefully. Governments eager for progress may be too quick to jump at any sign of a strategic juncture. This impulse may be well intentioned, but it can turn out to be counterproductive. Take the Colombian peace process in the late 1990s, a good example of how such eagerness can backfire. In 1998, the government in Bogotá agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in which the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known as the FARC) could operate without interference from the security forces. The establishment of the zone was granted even before the FARC had agreed to sit down at the negotiating table, let alone end its military campaign. Buoyed by the government's offer, FARC hard-liners went on the offensive, seeing the zone as a golden opportunity to formalize the quasi-governmental authority they already enjoyed in parts of the country. The negotiations turned out to be a farce, and in 2002 the government eventually decided to end the experiment, ordering the military to reoccupy the territory it had ceded. Before seizing what seems like an opportunity, therefore, a government must first carefully assess whether a critical mass within the terrorist organization questions the utility of violence. The government might not be at leisure to wait until a full consensus has emerged, but it must not move forward until the politically minded members of the terrorist group have the balance of influence in their favor.

It is because of these concerns that a government should begin formal negotiations only after the terrorist group has declared a permanent cessation of violence. Insisting on such a declaration spurs the politically minded among the terrorists to achieve internal consensus. As a litmus test of the terrorists' intentions, such a declaration also makes it easier for the government to trust that negotiations are meaningful. In terms of maintaining the stability of the government's political system, a permanent cease-fire represents a public commitment to which the terrorists can be held and for whose breach they can be sanctioned. Crucially, it helps maintain the democratic protocol, establishing in the minds of the terrorists (and of all others who consider the political use of violence) that the government will not allow major outcomes to be influenced by the use of violence. Lastly, it may help reinforce the perception that the negotiations represent a unique historical opportunity and thus may generate valuable political momentum toward resolving the conflict.

HOW?

Even when dealing with a terrorist group that is ready for negotiations, there is no guarantee that a talks process will succeed. What, then, should a government's posture be? For terrorism experts such as Paul Wilkinson, of the University of St. Andrews, the risk of appearing weak and undermining a government's political system during negotiations is so great that governments should make "no concessions." This argument is the logical extension of the doctrine of "no negotiations" -- and like it, it fails to address the many practical difficulties of trying to end violence while safeguarding the credibility of a government's political system.

Moty Cristal, a negotiator at Camp David for the Israeli government, has argued that one viable tactic is for governments to shift the terms of the negotiations from the terrorists' political demands to their personal fate. This might not be possible unless the terrorists are all but defeated, but it is a useful distinction in many instances. Governments can split negotiations into two tracks and consider two types of concessions. Primary concessions would relate to the terrorists' stated demands, secondary concessions to their personal fate. Both sets would be negotiated in parallel, but whereas secondary concessions would be discussed in direct negotiations between the government and the terrorists, primary concessions would have to be part of a broader process that would subject the terrorists to a democratic mandate, secured through elections for a constitutional assembly or a similar body.

The distinction between these two tracks is essential. Terrorists seeking primary concessions aim to alter the political arrangements under which the state operates, and no self-respecting democracy can allow a small group of once-violent conspirators to impose constitutional change, even after it has ostensibly renounced violence. On the other hand, terrorists will have little incentive to engage in negotiations unless they feel constitutional change is at least a possibility. The only way to resolve this tension is to grant primary concessions only in the context of a broader settlement involving all the major parties -- and in which the terrorists participate on the basis of a democratic mandate -- so that the concessions become an extension of the polity's will.

An additional advantage of putting together a broad, multiparty process is that it exposes the terrorists to democratic practices. The terrorists will have to subject their political program to the public's judgment in elections, and -- once negotiations have begun -- interact and engage with their opponents' concerns, build coalitions, and strike compromises. The case of the IRA demonstrates that such an apprenticeship in democracy can be an invaluable means of easing the transition from violence to conventional politics. As recent research has shown, the IRA's continued dialogue with political parties helped soften the group's position on key matters; in the middle of the negotiations, Adams is even reported to have said that the conflict in Northern Ireland required "a more complex response than simply the imposition of one nationality over another." Dialogue also gave the movement an incentive to shift resources from the armed struggle to the building of its electoral capability.

Governments will inevitably encounter tremendous difficulties in constructing an inclusive negotiations process. Terrorists will be reluctant to become just one of many political actors in negotiations. The government might have to bring on board some opposition parties, which could be tempted to exploit the situation for their own political gain. The difficulty of getting such parties to participate is often a major obstacle to talks. In Spain, for example, the current Socialist government has pushed back the starting date for negotiations with ETA. Although ETA has observed the cease-fire it declared in March 2006, the opposition Conservatives have firmly opposed any talks until ETA is fully demobilized. Conscious that any outcome emerging from a noninclusive process might be seen as illegitimate, the government has been left in a near-impossible situation. It seems to have no choice now but to hope that a sense of historic opportunity will eventually compel the opposition to join the process.

In contrast to that of primary-track negotiations, the purpose of secondary-track talks is relatively straightforward: to ensure an orderly demobilization of the terrorist group. But such discussions often turn out to be a negotiator's worst nightmare. This is especially true of negotiations on personnel-related matters, which often lead to amnesty-like arrangements for prisoners and terrorists on the run. No matter how conditional or sophisticated the form of their release, allowing convicted murderers to go free will invariably be at odds with the government's pledges never to give in to terrorists' demands, and such a deal could be impossible to sell to the public. Even so, securing such arrangements is in the government's best interest. They strengthen the hand of the politically minded members of the terrorist group and remove a pretext for dissidents to justify returning to violence. They also provide a strong incentive for the terrorists to give ground on primary-track issues. It is for this reason (as well as to placate a skeptical public) that governments have traditionally insisted on tying concessions in this area to progress in all others. In the end, the public may be convinced of the need for secondary concessions only if it has a strong desire for closure and fears that a historic opportunity for peace will be lost unless there is an agreement. And so it is the government's ability to manage public expectations as well as the competing interests of the terrorists and the government's opposition that will determine the likelihood that negotiations will succeed.

THE NEXT GOOD FRIDAY

In some cases, such as that of al Qaeda, the chances for a negotiated solution are slim. Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's ideological powerhouse, have offered cease-fires to governments in the United States and Europe, but it is unclear whether the organization's local commanders would honor them. There is no sign that al Qaeda has changed its thinking on the utility of violence. And it is hard to conceive of a viable process of primary negotiations in which al Qaeda could be included. Al Qaeda has global aspirations and no firm territorial base, and there is no clearly defined territory in which its aims could be satisfied through constitutional means. Under these conditions, opening negotiations would be a counterproductive move: it would provide al Qaeda with political legitimacy while undermining both moderates across the Muslim world and the negotiating governments themselves.

Even when all the necessary conditions are met, negotiations will not be easy. As the Arab-Israeli peace process and talks in Sri Lanka have shown, attempts to bring about negotiated settlements often provoke violent challenges both from the in-group (dissident factions of the terrorist group or reactionary elements of the government's security forces) and from outsiders (rival or splinter groups). Moreover, post-settlement situations tend to be fragile long after the negotiations have been concluded. Issues such as the reintegration of combatants into society, the conduct of reconciliation processes, and the stabilization of new political institutions keep policymakers busy for years after a peace agreement has been signed.


The best example of how negotiations can be conducted successfully is undoubtedly those with the IRA. By the late 1980s, much of the IRA's leadership had concluded that alternatives to the armed struggle had to be explored. And although large parts of the organization were not yet ready to swap the bullet for the ballot box, the leadership possessed enough influence and cunning to cajole IRA skeptics into going along with the new strategy. The political process, which evolved throughout the 1990s, was complicated and often torturous, but its breadth and the British government's insistence that the IRA relinquish violence as a precondition for political participation protected the democratic framework.


A separate but related issue is whether democratic governments can do anything to bring about the conditions under which negotiations with terrorists might succeed. And they can. Democratic governments should hold out the promise of giving terrorists a stake in the political process, but only if the terrorists agree to play by democratic rules. They should try to buttress the politically minded among terrorists while refraining from doing anything that could strengthen the hard-liners. Most important, they must remain firmly opposed to the use of violence for political ends. Negotiations can sometimes be an exit strategy for terrorists who have second thoughts about their campaigns. But governments must always be clear that a full commitment to democratic principles is the price terrorists will have to pay.

UnknownT:
Such a funny world! I havent seen Buhari take any step different from the ones GEJ took in this BH fight.

barcanista:
Nonsense! Is Iran a terrorist organisation?

What does negotiation for release of captives equate negotiating with terrorist group to stop terrorism? Is Buhari negotiating for release of any hostage? You aren't smart at all!

Have you heard any Western Country negotiate with ISIS, Taliban, Alqaeda, Al Shabaab etc for them to stop terrorism?

HungerBAD:
I live in one.

And contrary to your beliefs or what you think you know. All Western Countries engage in negotiation with terrorists, but they do it through a third party country. For exampe, all negotiations between between IRAN and the United States is handled by a THIRD PARTY country Switzerland.

PFC Bowe Bergdahl, was a US Army held captive by the Taliban. His release was negotiated by Qatar. A little schooling or reading about INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS will broaden your horizon on how DEVELOPED Government works, and not the fire approach applied by past Presidents of Nigeria.

Buhari is on the RIGHT PATH.

HungerBAD:
In a Civilized world, that is what leaders do and that is NEGOTIATE. We cannot kill or wish Boko Haram away, nice move PRESIDO.

HungerBAD:
In a Civilized world, that is what leaders do and that is NEGOTIATE. We cannot kill or wish Boko Haram away, nice move PRESIDO.

GreatEngineer:
When relocation of command base and forming JTF with other countries to fight BH didn't give any result, what do u expect PMB to do? Should him n his cabinet carry guns and go after BH since army cannot do their job.
Before May 29, Nigerian military were taking d war into BH camp in sambisa Forrest, now BH is bringing d war to our various local government in the north east.

Ruling this this country isn't easy the way people think, APC thought it is by propaganda, now the ball is in their court.

Now this is one month, no meaningful policy, no proper/well defined direction, no ministerial appointment, the country is stagnant, stocks are falling, BH is winning.

Now we are planning to repeat same thing we were condemning when GEJ was the one that wanted to do it.
Too things are wrong in this country.

Jaycool18:
help me ask the baboon, claiming he knows something but his skull is empty

GreatEngineer:
When relocation of command base and forming JTF with other countries to fight BH didn't give any result, what do u expect PMB to do? [s]Should him n his cabinet carry guns and go after BH since army cannot do their job.[/s]
Before May 29, Nigerian military were taking d war into BH camp in sambisa Forrest, now BH is bringing d war to our various local government in the north east.

[s]Ruling this this country isn't easy the way people think, APC thought it is by propaganda[/s], now the ball is in their court.

Now this is one month, no meaningful policy, no proper/well defined direction, no ministerial appointment, the country is stagnant, stocks are falling, BH is winning.

Now we are planning to repeat same thing we were condemning when GEJ was the one that wanted to do it.
Too things are wrong in this country.