China As Global Mediator

When the Chinese government decided to appoint a special envoy to the Middle East a decade ago, China's concerns about the peace process there became evident. Whether China's mediation efforts contradict its longstanding principle of non-interference in internal affairs is of special interest as China becomes more deeply involved in the resolution of regional and international conflicts, indicating its emergence as a mediator. Since the Arab Spring last year, China has used its veto power several times in the United Nations Security Council and played a constructive role in the mediation of the ongoing crisis in Syria. China has contributed a peacekeeping medical team in southern Lebanon and remains one of the six parties involved in the talks on the Iranian nuclear issue. Because of the size of China's economy and its growing influence around the world, the once-isolated country has evolved as global mediator, seeking governance necessary for its own development. China was quick to urge the Syrian government and all parties concerned to halt the violence. China's former practice was to call for restraint from the parties and for peaceful resolution through dialogue-- not to take action. Mediation is now consistent with China's continuing role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which means it can no longer do nothing. This includes efforts in the Korean Peninsula and Africa, as well. China has been relatively absent from contemporary international mediation initiatives since the current republic's founding in 1949. However, it is now driven by increasing international stature, coupled with intensification of unresolved and newly emerging conflicts that threaten world security. See story - http://bit.ly/V81Zye

A moment on International Mediations

Mediators of the diplomatic kind are making moves in several international crises. Last month, Kofi Annan departed Syria, but diplomacy continues to be the international community's main focus there. Replacement of Annan with Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi is being floated. Apparently, Brahimi still wants to know how much room he will have to maneuver, how much international backing he can expect to receive and whether his job is to merely reach a cease-fire (as he achieved in Lebanon) or to tap into his expertise in creating new governmental systems. Uniting the opposition groups under a single leadership has eluded all former mediators including the Turkish foreign minister and intermediaries appointed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Arab League. A developing war of attrition could work in favor of a new U.N. mediator, who could exploit the fatigue of both sides and bring about a cease-fire. See story http://bit.ly/R9xFWs Likewise, in Mali the lead mediator in regional efforts to end unrest in Mali told rebels that they must cut ties to terrorist movements like al Qaeda before any peace talks can begin. Islamist militant groups control about two-thirds of Mali after hijacking a secular rebellion by Tuareg nationalists earlier this year. Burkina Faso Foreign Minister, Djibril Bassole, wants to promote a dialogue to increase the likelihood of successful negotiations. The U.N. Security Council last month endorsed political efforts by West African leaders to end the unrest in Mali, but stopped short of backing a force. See http://reut.rs/Ny7SAv Finally, in Zimbabwe, South Africa's President, Jacob Zuma, is to visit this week in his capacity as Southern African Development Community (SADC) mediator. His goal is to ensure the country is on the route to a fair, intimidation-free election. Zuma was appointed chief mediator on Zimbabwe in 2009 and no date is set for Zimbabwe's next elections, expected to take place within the next 12 months. A fragile unity government was formed in Zimbabwe in 2008 between President Robert Mugabe (who has ruled since independence in 1980) and opposition party leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The union followed a highly-contested presidential poll and post-election violence. http://bit.ly/Ty4ARL