Reconciliation within nations.

On the 17th of May 1995, I called upon the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and told him that the time had come for the formation of a pro-active institute for the promotion of national reconciliation within nations.

After listening to me, the Secretary-General thought that the idea was a great one. But who would fired it? "Perhaps", he said, "the best things would be for you to first promote a Forum for the promotion of national reconciliation within nations, on the premise that even a 'journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'."

In today's world, wars mostly happen within States and not between States. Thus, peace has acquired a new definition and meaning, namely, that it must be considered as the outcome of successful policies for development and democracy.

Experience has also taught us that "first past the post" - democracy per se - does not necessarily bring peace and stability, and that the concept of "non interference" in internal affairs has too often been the excuse for perpetuating feuds and internal strifes within many sadly divided nations.

The policy of national reconciliation must be considered by one and all as a major part of the new dimension of security, something fitting well within the framework of a democracy that is meaningful and which recognizes that at the end of the day stability is the prerequisite for development, progress and prosperity.

In this post-cold-war period, we must accept the fact that people across the globe are yearning for security of life, not so much for peace across the borders, but mostly within States, through the eradication of hunger, homelessness, crime, fear, traditional dislike and historical enmity.

And it is in response to their cries, the process of national reconciliation must be given active consideration as a battle worth fighting for and imperative for national construction or reconstruction.

Ideally, we must ultimately create an institute for national reconciliation between and within nations, which would be able to look at the source of conflicts and attempt to resolve them through intelligent dialogue, enlightened arguments and wise judgement and proper actions. Whilst this will not materialize overnight, we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the enormity of the challenge or the fear of offending those who have vested interests in perpetuating divisions and conflicts.

Since my discussions with Mr. Boutros-Ghali, I have met with several senior United Nations officials, as well as with former Prime Minister Ingvar Carlson of Sweden, officials of the Konrad Adenauer and Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany, and the Directors of the International Institute for Democracy in Stockholm. They have all agreed, in principle, to be supportive of the first Forum, but the first question was always - Where will it take place?

I believe that the Seychelles would be an ideal venue for this Forum in view of the level of national reconciliation which has been achieved in the country since President F.A. Rene decided to return the country to multiparty democracy, and my own subsequent return in April 1992 (after more than 16 years in exile) as the "Apostle of National Reconciliation". Following discussions with President Rene and Jeremie Bonnelaine, his Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Seychelles Government has agreed, in principle, to host the first Forum - perhaps a mini-forum to discuss and prepare for a greater forum to coincide with the arrival of the new millennium.

We are continuously reminded that we are living in an era of fragile peace, with colossal sums of money being spent in military build-up. Honestly speaking, it is vital for leaders who profess goodwill towards mankind to give a higher priority to promoting friendship and peace, and to attend urgently to the task of reconciliation within and between nations.