http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/opinion/the-surprising-defeat-of-colombias-peace-plan.html 2016-10-05 23:17:19 The Surprising Defeat of Colombia’s Peace Plan Readers analyze why Colombians rejected a deal with the country’s largest rebel group to end a 52-year war. === To the Editor: Re “ The peace agreement that the Colombian government and the FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, presented to the people of Colombia did not offer a choice between peace and justice. Rather, the agreement looked to spare the nation the emotional and financial costs of retribution and to create an investment by the rebels in a stable and durable peace. Rather than focusing on the past, particularly on punishing the rebel fighters — amnesty was to be granted to some but not to those guilty of grave crimes — the plan embraced the future. Offering seats in the country’s legislature to the rebels is not a reward but an intelligent investment that broadens political participation in the new postwar democracy. An insight attributed to Confucius is sadly relevant to the rejection of the agreement: “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” There are enough graves in Colombia. After 50 years, the nation deserves peace. It’s time to return to the negotiating table, to end the insurgency and to start rebuilding the nation. LINDA STAMATO New Brunswick, N.J. The writer is co-director of the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University. To the Editor: The recent vote on the Colombian peace plan should be seen as a triumph of democracy. There were elections without charges of fraud, and the government and people appear resolved to honor the vote. Colombians should be proud, and we should be applauding them. It is clear that The Times’s editorial board (“ ANDY FLASTER Lexington, Mass. To the Editor: This, like the Brexit vote, should be seen as a warning to everybody who does not want to see Donald Trump elected. Please note: Polls had indicated that the initiative for peace was going to win handily, but instead it lost narrowly, partly because of low voter turnout. Please, please, get out and vote, persuade your neighbors to vote, and persuade your children RONALD J. KANTOR Charlotte, N.C.