Pieces of Paper

The New York Times has run another above the fold story on their website about the failure to secure peace in Darfur, and it would appear that someone is slowly coming to the realization that just because a bunch of diplomats sign a piece of paper doesn't mean that you'll have real peace.

They should have learned this after Chamberlain met with Hitler and declared peace in our time.

They should have learned after the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993 between Arafat and Rabin.

They should have learned after all these years that pieces of paper do not secure a peace.

Not when you have forces actively engaged in conflict that do not treat pieces of paper as anything more than kindling for their fires. The militias that are ravaging through Darfur are no exception.

UPDATE:
The international effort to deal with Darfur is on the verge of collapse, reports the New York Times. Conditions have deteriorated significantly since the deal was brokered.