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Secret Iraqi Peace Talks Bring Unlikely Voices To the Debate

David McKittrick of The Independent reports on secret Iraqi peace talks held recently in Helsinki, where Ex-IRA commander, Martin McGuinness met in private with 16 representatives of warring Sunni and Shiite Iraqi factions. As a former militant who took bold steps towards peace in Northern Ireland, McKittrick is a legitimate role model in trying to convince the Iraqis of the merits of peaceful coexistence with rivals.

Trying to draw parallels between extended conflicts in Northern Ireland and the bloody ethnic struggles in Iraq will prove to be a daunting task. Nevertheless, the peace process must begin at some point. However, the question still remains: How many lives will be lost while we wait?