Although these agreements seldom induced political settlements
of conflicts, it would be wrong to minimise their importance
for bringing about peace.
Some agreements of this type have been achieved in the Kampuchean
conflict. Some could be worked out in the future if the parties
involved. agreed.
At this stage, I would like to underline that ICRC is not the
only organisations which can help to find solutions to the
prevailing humanitarian problems. Each humanitarian organisation
and agency has its own specific ways and means which may also
help. In order to succeed in our humanitarian efforts however,
we should remind ourselves of two principles: we are not
political negotiators and we have to stick each to our ownTM
mandate and traditions in order to be credible.
We have seen that humanitarian actions alone cannot claim to
provide de ́initive solut ns to the problems which are at the
source of conflicts. These problems are political and thus
outside the humanitarian terms of reference. Since States
have the power to wage war, peace can be ensured only by
settlements among themselves. With them lies the obligation
to find long term and durable solutions.
Too many situations drag on which are quite unacceptable from
the humanitarian point of view.
Moreover,
With regard to this, ICRC is entitled to demand from all parties
in conflict respect for the rules of Humanitarian Law.
ICRC has to ask all governments who are in a position to influence
a conflict to integrate the solution of humanitarian problems
into their political decisions.
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