But Rennie's intervention was as the honest peace-maker, in the fashion of someone stepping in to stop a bar-room brawl.

BBC: Rennie must not face rap

But the awkward part is that Mr Clinton is respected, and in some quarters admired, because he is seen as a warrior, rather than a peace-maker.

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Nationalist voters still seem inclined to give Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein's leader, the benefit of the considerable doubt that now clouds his reputation as genuine peace-maker in London, Dublin and Washington.

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It was probably Mr Bozize's biggest political mistake, as it opened the way for Mr Djotodia to shrewdly play the dual role of peace-maker and rebel leader until he finally seized power in Bangui.

BBC: Michel Djotodia: Central African Republic rebel leader

That Mr Rathod emerged alive, and even clutching a provisional deal, is probably thanks to the arrival of a peace maker: Richard Gitlin, a government-appointed mediator.

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