Christian Allard.org
23 August 2010
I went with great expectations to a session of the Festival of Politics at Holyrood last Saturday to listen to a debate on Scotland’s possible role in bringing those involved in conflict to the negotiating table and facilitating peace agreements. David Coltart, Minister for Education for the MDC Party in Zimbabwe, explained how his party decided to share power with Mugabe’s ruling party Zanu-PF to rescue the nation from an economic downfall. It was really exhilarating to hear David Coltart’s optimism from a country making further steps towards democracy and the rule of law. As David stated, the situation is far from being perfect, but instead of the same rhetoric from the west, the Zimbabwe minister encouraged the world to review sanctions imposed on failing states and for third-party countries to engage as soft mediators.
It was very disappointing that the event organisers in association with Beyond Borders Productions Ltd chose Labour former Defence Secretary Des Browne and another Westminster MP Sir Menzies Campbell to share the platform with our guest from Zimbabwe. I could not believe that I was listening to one of Tony Blair’s henchmen who took Britain to an illegal war preaching us about peace and reconciliation. As for the Liberal Democrats now sharing power with the Tories at Westminster, I could not help but remember that it was Nick Clegg, the present UK Deputy Prime Minister, who suggested military action to achieve regime change in Zimbabwe. The West Aberdeenshire MP, Sir Robert Hill Smith, declared in March this year at Westminster that “we need to bring back legal stability and a proper legal process to land ownership in countries such as Zimbabwe”. The Liberal Democrat from the North East declared an interest, his family owns land in Zimbabwe, but in this instance he did not remind his Westminster colleagues the extent of the shares he owns in diamonds operating mines in Zimbabwe.
I believe that there is a third-party country that can play an important role in bringing those involved in conflict to the negotiating table and facilitating peace agreements, this country is Scotland. There is an alternative to Westminster politicians whose only interests they wish to represent are their own, the interests of the British establishment; the alternative are the members sitting in the same chamber I was honoured to sit in last Saturday, the members of the Scottish Parliament. Let’s share David Coltart’s optimism in the future and follow Norway’s example for Scotland to become a country experienced with mediation and conflict resolution, a country independent from Westminster.
Mediating Conflict 21/08/2010Â download
For any major conflict to successfully come to an end a settlement that is acceptable to all parties involved must be mediated. Third-party countries can often play an important role in bringing those involved in conflict to the negotiating table, and facilitating peace agreements. Join Des Browne, former Defence Secretary; David Coltart, Minister for Education, Sports, Arts and Culture for the MDC Party in Zimbabwe; Martin Griffiths, Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, former UK diplomat; and Sir Menzies Campbell MP, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats; as they discuss the vital need conflict mediation, and the possible role Scotland could play in this arena. Chaired by Mark Muller QC.