The mediation and arbitration process is operated primarily by Americans and Germans, so they specifically wanted someone who had legal training both in Germany and the United States. The decision was obviously fortuitous, as he believes that he would not have his current position if not for his study in the United States. The mediation in Bosnia-Hercegovina is mainly political and electoral, although human rights are a key part of the Dayton Accords being implemented by the mediation team. Backes believes the experience of working for the Mediator has given him insight into politics and diplomacy and has helped him to understand how difficult and deep-rooted the conflict is. He says it requires patience to deal with the intense hatred that sometimes surfaces.
Many meetings are friendly but some can get very tense.
The work of the Mediator is expected to continue through 1997, or as long as there is a need. Although Backes did not anticipate doing this type of work, he has found that he really enjoys it and finds the political aspects of his job to be very interesting. Working for the Mediator has also provided him with interesting experiences such as serving as an election observer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Bosnia-Hercegovina. When he has finished his work for the mediator he would like to take the mediation talents he has developed into the realm of business, possibly working in dispute resolution.