negociation techniques: sri lankan government vs ltte analysis (mba)
DESCRIPTION
This was for a class at MIT Sloan in 'Power and Negociation' and is an analysis of the negociating positions of the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) at the end of the civil war in 2009. This is purely theoretical and for class purposes only. We are completely neutral in our position.TRANSCRIPT
Sri Lanka Government (SLG)versus
Liberation of Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE)
A story of lost opportunitiesAmit Danenberg
Meera GuptaNiki GomezYash Mehta
Poonam NarulaSubrat NayakPrat Vemana
MIT Sloan : Power & Negociation Class 2009
Background
This analysis is based on Negociating and Bargaining tactics as taught by Jared Curhan in Power and Negociation class at MIT Sloan in 2009.
Much of this presentation was following techniques from ‘Getting to Yes’ by Bruce Patton, Roger Fisher and William Ury.
Agenda
• Overview of Sri Lanka• Sri Lanka – Two perspectives• History of Negotiations• Analyze Current Situation
Sri Lanka – Country Demographics
• An island located in the Indian ocean, off the southeast tip of India
• GDP – $42B USD• GDP per capita – $4400• Population – 22 Million• Multi-Religion– Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu,
Christian• Key Economic Drivers – Tea,
Rubber, Garment Industry, Tourism
77.33%
14.59%
7.56% 0.52%
Sri Lanka Population
SinhaleseTamiliansMoorsBurghers
Sri Lanka – Two Perspectives
Story of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Government Perspective
Sri Lanka – One Nation
Tamil
Muslim
Diverse and Integrated
A Nation of Peace
Buddhists – A majority population
Tamil Terrorists•Few Tamils formed terrorist group- LTTE•War for 26 years•70,000 people have died•Sri Lankan economy is in tatters•Tourism and investment down
We cannot let LTTE divide small country
Story of Sri Lanka
Tamil Perspective
Sri Lanka – History (Tamil)
• When Portuguese took possession of the island in 1505 there were 3 Kingdoms
• Tamil Kingdom in the North-East - Tamil Homeland
• Sinhalese Kingdoms in the South-West
Sri Lanka – History (Tamil)
One Island – Two Nations
Mistreatment of Tamils• 1948 – 1 million Tamils declared as non-citizens
• 1949 – Sinhalese colonization in traditional Tamil homeland
• 1956 – Sinhala made sole official language of the country
• 1970 – “Ethnic standardization” slashes university admission to Tamils
• 1972 – New constitution without Tamil participation– Unilateral name change from Ceylon to Sri Lanka– Declaration of Sri Lanka as a republic– Buddhism made state religion
History of Negotiations
Negotiation between
Sri Lanka Government&
Tamils1956
1956 - Facts
• Sri Lanka government announced Sinhalese as official language
• Tamil politicians staged peaceful demonstrations
• Violent response from government
Sri Lanka Government - Tamils
InterestOptions
Legitimacy
CommitmentRelationship
Communication Alternatives
Why only Sinhala?
It should be inclusive decision making process
Its 80% of populationSinhala, Tamil
Tamil included as official language
Riots to stop
Equal Representation
Why did you attack non-violent protest?Unfortunate incidentLets resolve together
One Nation
Equal Representation
History of Conflict ResolutionsFrom 1956 to Now
History of Negotiations – 1973 - 2002• LTTE formed in 1976• Continued war between two
forces• LTTE used brutal tactics• LTTE introduced “guerilla”
attacks• LTTE controls North East SL• SLG uses brutal force & state
sponsored violence against Tamils
• India Mediated Peace• India Ex-Prime Minister
assassinated by LTTE 1991
History of Negotiations - 2002
• Ceasefire– Monitored by Scandinavian Countries
• Direct Dialogue– Facilitated By the Royal Norwegian Government
• THE OSLO DECLARATION– Signed by the SLG and the LTTE on 25 November 2002– Extremely short-lived due to lack of trust ad commitment on both
sides
Current Conflict
Current Situation – May 1st 2009
• SL govt. launched major offensive in 2007 to wipe out LTTE
• Systematic war campaign has killed many LTTE troops
• LTTE confined to 7km2 area is using civilians as human shields
• International community humanitarian outrage
• No freedom of press
Current CrisisMediation
United NationsSri Lanka
Tamil
Mediator - Sri Lanka Government
InterestOptions
Legitimacy
CommitmentRelationship
Communication Alternatives
We are very close to winning the war
How can you protect civilians?
We don’t want Prabhakaran to
escape
Ceasefire?Possible Sanctions
Safe passage & Rebuild Tamil Communities
Mediator with Sri Lanka
• N: We are very close to winning this long war (Int)• A: How can you protect Civilians?• N: We don’t want Prabhakaran to escape (Interest)• A: Possible sanctions, IMF funds being blocked (Commit)• A: Can you announce cease fire now? (Commit)• N: Safe passage (Alternative)• N: Rebuild the displaced Tamil communities (Commit)• A: What is your BATNA?• N: To continue the War until Prabhakaran is killed.
However we just want peace.
Mediator - LTTE
InterestOptions
Legitimacy
CommitmentRelationship
Communication Alternatives
I don’t trust the Government promises
We will protect you
We need a ceasefire
Why don’t you surrender?
Human Atrocities
I am a wanted man
Mediator with LTTE
• P: Human Atrocities unbearable (Legitimacy)• P: We need to ceasefire now (Interest)• A: Why don’t you surrender to stop war (Option)?• P: I don’t believe the government, many times SLG
went back (Legitimacy)• P: I am a wanted man (Interest)• A: We will protect your life (Option)• A: What is your BATNA?• P: Ceasefire due to huge human rights abuses by the
government
All Parties
InterestOptions
Legitimacy
CommitmentRelationship
Communication Alternatives
Why only Sinhala?
We have a human rights crisis- need to end the war
Its 80% of populationHow can you
protect civilians?
Tamil included as official language
Riots to stop
Equal Representation
Why did you attack non-violent protest?Unfortunate incidentLets resolve together
One Nation
Equal Representation
All parties - Dialog• A: We have a human rights crisis, we need to end the war (Interest)• A: Prabhakaran surrender – We will try your case in Hague court• A: Govt will give safe passage• A: Equal representation to Tamil• A: I will get international community to pledge loans to rebuild• A: International monitoring• N: I agree• P: Over my dead body• A: How do you want to go down in history?• P: I would rather be a martyr • A: You have to save your people• A: Hague will offer you a fair hearing• P: Yes
• It is not a fixed pie or zero-sum game• 7 elements of Negotiation– Circle of Value• Interests• Options• Legitimacy
– Alternatives• BATNA
– Communication– Commitment– Relationship• ZOPA: Surrender or continuing the war– Reservation Value, Aspiration Value• Norms: Relational Norms– Equality, Equity, Need• Difficult Tactics:– Attack, Threat• Mediation: – Neutrality– Strong– Caucusing
Achieving Peace Through Value Creation
Q&A