ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how a restorative justice paradigm could improve the ways that peace operations are conducted. Mandates, mission statements, logistics, and operational conduct can be organized accordingly. Today when UN peace building following civil strife is underway, it often aims to address the root causes of civil war and in reality often constitutes nation building. Madriz idea of 'altruistic fear' can be applied and extended to the 'altruistic suffering' of the family and friends, close and not so close, of victims of civil war. Communities are complex polities and include oppressors, survivors, victims and other parties linked in varying degrees to those other roles; as well, there are the often vulnerable moderates who stand outside the conflict. In East Timor, soldiers of all ranks were often involved in mediation or negotiation with a range of parties hence this area of contact skills was then identified as warranting an increased emphasis in Australian military training and development programmes.
