Harnessing incentives for peace
An interview with Alvaro de Soto (2008)
In this interview, experienced UN peacemaker Alvaro de Soto reflects on the roles incentives and pressure in peace processes in El Salvador, Cyprus and the Middle East. He cautions against reliance on pressure and 'psychologically blunt' sanctions, warning that attempts to modify behaviour need to be handled very delicately. As a mediator, he sought durable solutions, which required protagonists to agree to them as willingly as possible. In some cases it was useful to ask third party countries to use their influence to reinforce his arguments through diplomatic means. He concludes with reflections on the UN's role in peacemaking and the importance of avoiding situations where the parties to a conflict can play would-be mediators off against each other.