As the world looks closer to Northern Ireland to make a final political power-sharing settlement in order to end a bloody century old conflict, and as we watch closely Kosovo and Cyprus make their own bids to a political settlement to end their political deadlock, we can't help but notice a trend when asking: why is it that some negotiations are doomed to fail and others pre-disposed to succeed? Is it timing? Is it the stakes?

 

History is not a cliché answer. The thirty year long political conflict that divided the Mediterranean island of Cyprus is not yet old news. In 2004 Cypriots voted on a popular referendum to decide on a proposed solution; Kofi Annan's UN plan for unification. It was to be a precursor to Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

 

While the Turkish Cypriots voted ‘yes' on unification the Greek Cypriots voted ‘no' leaving the process at a stalemate. While most young Cypriots regard the conflict in the seventies as "ancient history" the previous generation, the one that was part of the violent events, does not. A good portion of the Greek Cypriot population still lingers on unfair settlements of the past and the violence that divided them from the Turkish parts of the island. The Turkish Cypriots, though eager to catch up to the economic standards and benefits of the Greek South, are afraid of concessions that could change their status and make them a minority in what they consider their own state. Most importantly, both sides cannot forgive and forget. In their negotiations they look back, bonded by a violent history of events that keep them hostage and keep them from deciding on a settlement that will define a better, more peaceful, and prosperous future for all.

 

As difficult as the Kosovo Final Status negotiations have proved to be, their bondage to history is different. Parties in the Kosovo negotiations look forward. They are seeking to negotiate on their future. It is not that they don't have a history. Kosovo and Serbia have a ‘rich' history of violence, and an embarrassing one at that. Yet, their negotiations prove they are not blackmailed by their past. This openness provides an unprecedented chance in deciding on a settlement that will serve their future.

 

In political negotiations, is it better to take account of the past or the future? As we monitor these important processes in Cyprus, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland, we can't help but conclude that the future is a better alternative. Stay tuned as these processes are revealed to us in the near future and we continue to bring to you the latest coverage on them.