But to make any progress they must break out of the inflexible and defensive positions that are driving the current conflict.
This inflexible position was amended by the Misrepresentation Act 1967 s 1, which simply says such bars no longer exist.
But the Sri Lankans and Indians appear to have held fast to inflexible positions.
He avoided inflexible positions towards democratic changes and was a compromise figure for both party conservatives and reformists.
But it accused the United States of coming to the table with an inflexible position.
"The Mayor is taking an inflexible position regarding the San Gennaro festival," she said.
"We haven't come here with inflexible positions."
"His every word is treated as gospel, when in reality he has taken an inflexible and unrealistic position."
Purists may influence policy by maintaining inflexible positions, but that's not whom you want running the country.
But even the supporters of this inflexible position are jointly responsible for slowing down negotiations today.