Dear Editor,
When Superman was forced to answer a riddle to save Lois from the Sphinx, he was asked the question “What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?” Superman’s answer was “They called a truce.”
A truce – a pause – may be helpful if it were to be used in our domestic politics in attenuating abrasiveness which we have endured for a prolonged period. However a truce would be of little or no value in relation to the issues consequent on the validity of the no confidence motion, issues which are consuming our attention. What is required is a solution to those issues arrived at on the basis that is satisfactory to the negotiating partners.
Methods and process do make a difference in negotiations more so in this age of transparency. In this connection I pose two questions. Firstly does the consistent use of “megaphone diplomacy” in the instant circumstances facilitate or hinder the successful outcome of negotiations?. Secondly as regards the negotiations was consideration given to a package arrangement encompassing more than one issue, an approach to which can be applied the principle ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” and thus providing an opportunity for a win win outcome?. Is this still possible?
On the other hand, the boat may already have sprung its moorings and is heading inevitably to the rapids.
Yours faithfully,
Rashleigh E Jackson
