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Vraalsen discusses the history of conflict resolution in the case of the Sudanese civil war. While parties internal to the conflict demonstrate their own difficulties in establishing a feasible approach to conflict resolution, so, too, do external powers experience a series of tensions & complexities when attempting to establish a forum for problem recognition & solution. This article describes Norway's early attempts to facilitate resolution meetings between Sudan's leaders, the shift in positions assumed by the United States before the Sudan problem, & the various organizations & forums which have endeavored to gain precedence in the conflict resolution procedure. Non-productive competition between forums & other complications emerging from the engagement of Western powers in the Sudan affair are critiqued here in order to present some of the lessons on necessary conditions which have become clear throughout the process. Some of the positive results which have come about in Sudan today are also discussed in conclusion. 28 References. C. Brunski

In this personal essay, Egil Fossum describes how his perspectives, along with the perspectives of many others like him, have developed over the course of many years into a situation of hopelessness & despair for the Palestinian people. Fossum begins with the generally positive impression he held of Israel from early childhood & tells how his exposure to various other Middle Eastern perspectives began to shift his attitude to challenge his original assumptions. Though extensive travel throughout the Middle East, Fossum develops a view that re-assesses the impact of Israeli political action on the Palestinian people. Perhaps more importantly, he comes to gain an understanding of how Western media has helped shape a somewhat distorted view of the Palestinian struggle. Fossum explores these issues from the standpoint of his personal experience & poses the question of how a defeated people might ever be able to navigate through the complex political terrain that presently stands before them. C Brunski

Acknowledges that Norwegian participation in the Security Council led to some good things (the Mar 2002 Mideast peace resolution, the settling of the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict), the breakdown of the Security Council over the Iraq question during this period does not reflect well on anyone, even Norway. Norway also was too willing to accommodate the US's demands for immunity from any International Criminal Court indictments. It is unlikely that Norway will serve on the Security Council in the near future, but it is hoped that the council itself will be reformed, & no longer will be subject to the same veto pressures of the five permanent members. A. Siegel