DİPLOMASİ

Canada played a significant role in the gathering of Ottawa Convention on Ban on Land Mines (Anderson 2000). As a medium sized state, Canada has opened itself a space in world politics by initiating such an important process which turned into a binding agreement for more than 140 countries.

Norway has played mediator role in several disputes and its capital Oslo has been home to several peace talks such as the one between Israel and Palestine.

Switzerland as a “neutral country” for more than 600 years (Kriesi and Trechsel 2008), offered mediation to Spanish and Catalonian parties after emergence of crisis following the independence referendum in Catalonia in 2017

Another good example of small state mediation is the initiative of Algeria in the settlement of Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979.

Former president of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari has served as a mediator in the settlement of various conflicts varying from conflict between the Indonesian government and Aceh region to Kosovo conflict (Ahtisaari, 2008; Perrit, 2010). In fact, Ahtisaari became a prominent figure in international mediation practices especially after his retirement from Finnish politics and took initiative himself to prompt international society to take more active initiative in the settlement of international crises. For his efforts, he was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.

The dispute between Argentina and Uruguay on the Uruguay River is mediated by the King of Spain. The mediation was an informal one. Yet, the provisions suggested by the mediator were respected by both parties and the decision of the World Court in the Hague followed these provisions and legalized them.

After the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the government of Mexico and British Petroleum were engaged in a long negotiation process for the compensation of the environmental pollution in the region (Parlett and Weaver 2011). After the negotiations, BP and Mexican government agreed on the biggest compensation that is undertaken by a private company in the history.

Ratification is a final step for an international diplomatic agreement to be put in practice. In most cases, international diplomatic agreements are presented to parliaments for ratification. Copying this general practice, 87th article of the constitution of Turkey authorizes the Turkish Grand National Assembly for the ratification of international agreements.

Mediation initiatives has contributed to the construction of peace agreements, peaceful solution of several disputes or prevented potential crises to turn into violent conflicts. Yet, it should also be emphasized that mediation is also used as an instrument by the initiator to construct an international role. The initiator country or organization for mediation sometimes does so to have a say in world politics. Role theory of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) literature suggests that countries build certain national roles for themselves and conduct their foreign policy accordingly (Holsti 1970; Walker 1987). In this regard, we can see that there are certain countries in contemporary world politics which construct themselves as natural mediators in crisis situations. For instance, Norway has played mediator role in several disputes and its capital Oslo has been home to several peace talks such as the one between Israel and Palestine. Within this context, it is fair to suggest that mediator party also utilizes from the success of its potential mediation. In another case, for instance, Canada played a significant role in the gathering of Ottawa Convention on Ban on Land Mines (Anderson 2000). As a medium sized state, Canada has opened itself a space in world politics by initiating such an important process which turned into a binding agreement for more than 140 countries. Small states also take initiative to mediate in international or domestic crises. For instance, Switzerland as a “neutral country” for more than 600 years (Kriesi and Trechsel 2008), offered mediation to Spanish and Catalonian parties after emergence of crisis following the independence referendum in Catalonia in 2017. Another good example of small state mediation is the initiative of Algeria in the settlement of Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979 (Slim, 1992: 206). We can mention two main types of mediation: formal and informal (Berkovich and Jackson, 1997). Formal mediation processes start after the authorization of a person by usually an international organization. In formal mediation processes, the mandate and jurisdiction of the mediator are determined in the authorization resolution. In such formal mediation practices, most of the procedural details of the mediation process are predefined.

An example of a negotiation process which is used as a tactic to gain time is the talks between the government of Sri Lanka and Tamil Tigers (Weiss 2011). The fight between the government forces and Tamil Tigers, a secessionist guerrilla group, lasted more than two decades and caused thousands of casualties on both parties. The negotiations between the parties were initiated once again in early 2008, yet the failure of the process triggered a heavy assault by the government forces on Tamil Tigers in early 2009. In May 2009, the government declared victory and Tigers admitted the defeat. Later, it was understood that the government of Sri Lanka was actually using the negotiation process which was relatively calm and peaceful to prepare for a final attack to defeat the Tigers decisively and annihilate the organization. In fact, it was clear that Sri Lankan army was mobilizing and preparing for the attack since a long time frame including the negotiation period.

Win-set is a desirable outcome from an international bargaining process.

Sometimes international diplomatic negotiations can be among non-state actors.

Mediators brings the values of his own to the dispute

Negotiations between the government of Sri Lanka - Tamil Tigers  is an example of a negotiation process which is used as a tactic to gain time

Custom issues, sea borders and Violent conflicts

China and Taiwan can be given as an example of diplomatic negotiations with de facto states.

Canada and  Ottawa Convention is not an example of negotiation processes from state to non-state actors

An envoy is respected domestically

Iran is not a mediator country

The parliament