>>One that often works for human relations, if done smartly enough, is to tell each party that the other party initiated contact. Then get out of the way and let them solve it out between themselves.
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>Can you elaborate more on this idea? <g>

I've heard of it happening. Two families were in a dispute, and then a common friend sent himself to each side as a messenger from the other side ("and to prove their honest intentions, they're sending you this apple"), proposing a meeting. It worked - even though it took about five minutes to understand what he did.