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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Emerging from the abyss of darkness by FACTOTUM The mines down the road of reconciliation and peace are being deactivated. This has enabled the free movement of the innocent people who had been trapped in the abyss of a hot war and were diffident about overtures for peace that never held. International efforts at facilitating a dialogue has borne fruit. A sure sign of the merit of the exercise is brought home in a tangible way when that loaf of bread is unwrapped. If the trend continues who knows what next will be available in manageable proportions to the consumer? This is sure going to win the people on to the side of all those who are now working towards honouring the pledges and the mandate that has been repeatedly given over the years by the people at successive polls. That international coercion was necessary to bring about this situation underlines the new world scenario where acting and living in isolation can only mean deprivation and misery. The congratulations and adulations from the major players in the world community (who have been urging a change of course) within hours of the signing of documents augurs well for the further consolidation and enforcement of peace. International observers will find it a rewarding exercise if conditions are adhered to and skirmishes and pitfalls are avoided. But there sure are going to be those aberrations and diversions that would test the endurance of the forces that have been at each other for decades. A sudden change of heart and cooling of climes and minds would be a miracle. But any aberrations should not open the vents for a return to arms. That would be calamitous. There are bound to be those who would advise and urge caution in relaxing alertness on all sides. But the lessons of the past are ample to hold back those who might wish to rush in to precipitate offensive action especially in those areas where Tigers and lions are held in dread. The Big Power we are told is moving in to preserve nation states. That did not happen in Yugoslavia though. Then the Taleban were not fighting to fragment their country. The yankees moved in there to avenge the humiliation and the gruesome attack on innocents at their Adam's Apple. The message that separatist causes may not find favour with the top cop has gained ground though. This, coupled with the very real need to lay down arms and rejuvenate the economy (now badly run down) is sufficient ground for the wary to overlook minor lapses and pull one's weight with those who are committed to undo the mistakes of their predecessors over decades that brought about the sad turn of events. The gloom that hung over the country appears to be receding. Those in the West are hopeful that considering the intricate design of the mosaic in the East Westborg will not get bogged down in the East. That would keep those emerging from the abyss of darkness in perennial doom and the economic boom a distant dream. Poised as we are on the threshold of peace to unburden ourselves of the knapsacks of distrust and baggage of hate we cannot let this chance go by. |
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