Mediating Regional Conflicts and Negotiating Flexibility: Peace Efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Abstract

This study analyzes four mediation initiatives in the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to understand the differences between mediators' capabilities and their effect on the negotiating flexibility of the disputing parties. It is claimed that regardless of the outcomes of the negotiations, in all mediation cases, parties adopted flexible negotiating behavior in the form of making or offering concessions, agreements on rules and procedures, agreements on mutual solutions, and introducing new peace proposals. In all instances, the mediators played both the facilitator and manipulator roles. The difference between a mediation process leading to an agreement and one ending with a stalemate is found in the way and extent to which a mediator uses his or her leverage in playing the role of a manipulator.