Child of war turned peacemaker

Dr. Harry Anastasiou grew up when conflict between the Greeks and the Turks was a way of life on his home island of Cyprus. He wondered why any parent would want their children to inherit the life of war and mistrust in society.

Why can’t there be peace instead of war, asks the teacher who has taught conflict resolution to Portland State graduate students in International Studies since 2002.

He has some insightful ideas on how to achieve peace. Should President Obama meet this man?

As a peace scholar, he was one of the leaders in the early ’90s who initiated support for an open dialogue between the different ethnic communities in Cyprus.

He “envision[ed] an environment that is peaceful,” to emerge from the discussions through relationship building and addressing root problems with wisdom and action.

“People first have to understand how conflict impacts human behavior and think how conflict shapes a society. Violence alienates people. Lethal behavior is the most undemocratic form of relationship,” Anastasiou said.

He cited the European example, which hasn’t seen serious conflict since World War II.

“They have a different concept; which is security based on democratic principles and the rule of law. They have worked on relationship building, reconfiguring what is in the national interest. Peace is national security,” he said.

He believes if a country asserts peace as a priority, it can shape the attitudes and actions that influence policy, leading a willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue.

Belligerence, Anastasiou said, is based on the false assumption that it is the only way to get what you want.

“History disproves this. An ‘us vs. them’ approach galvanizes and increases the determination of your adversary and lethal behavior empowers the hardliners. It’s what happened after 9-ll and in the Middle East all the time,” Anastasiou said.

“In Jerusalem, which is a place of rest and peace, if you fight, there is no Jerusalem. It cannot be a sacred city with killing and destruction,” he said.

He explained the way conflict is further enhanced when there is a religious interpretation introduced. Each side cites God as being on their side. That, he claims, is the danger of linking religion to nationalism.

“It is the same pattern during the Bush administration when he cited ‘the axis of Evil and the creators of Satan,'” Anastaniou said. “How can you negotiate and resolve conflict if it is cast in the illusion of Armageddon?”

Anastasiou stressed the key question in conflict situations: “How can we mend this relationship?”

This, he maintains, is essential to compelling countries to envision peace.

Anastasiou, referencing the 2008 Presidential Election, advised that whoever was going to answer that 3 a.m. phone call had better be capable of judging whether to wage war or forge peace.

He favors policies that reinforce, reward and empower all actions that deescalate conflict.

“Big powers should reward and support actions toward conciliation, problem solving and mending relationships. It is the only approach a super power can undertake without being polarized and creating a world of friends and enemies,” he said.

He observed how the people of Cyprus became less trusting, and more hateful. Values were eroding and he posed the question: “Do we want hatred to be part of our culture, not to trust, to injure, to have a conflict-habituated people?”

Anastasiou, who is Greek, lives his beliefs.

At Portland State he has befriended Dr. Birol Yesilada, a Turk, who teaches at the Hatfield School of Government and is chair of Turkish Studies. They do research together.

Anastasiou spends two weeks in September teaching in Cyprus and takes students along for internships and involvement in peacemaking activities.

He has authored two academic books; both titled The Broken Olive Branch, which focus on nationalism, ethnic conflict and peace building in Cyprus.

He and his wife have two sons, both in their 20s, who are graduate students at Portland State.