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Initial Contacts with the Disputing Parties 59 case. If parties can mobilize power so that they are informed and so that the other side knows that they are dealing with a prepared adversary, the power may never need to be exercised, and the mediator may be able to intervene before there is a crisis. Early entry in this case may prevent unnecessary damage to either of the disputing parties. On the other hand, if the parties have unequal power, need a confrontation to mobilize resources, or must test each other's strength before bargaining in good faith can begin, medi- ators are advised to delay entry. This may enable the parties to test and balance their power and may place them in a position to bargain from a position of strength. The argument for a period to vent emotions is also not contested by early-entry proponents. They do, however, main- tain that unstructured and prolonged venting, which may occur if the mediator delays entry, may result in hostile or unproduc- tive behavior that causes unnecessary psychological barriers. The final argument, which relates to the "ripeness" of a dispute for settlement, is an extremely important strategic issue con- cerned directly with the timing of intervention. Numerous mediators and negotiators have observed that disputes go through specific cycles and that resolution of issues in disputes often cannot occur until disputants have performed ritual acts (Douglas, 1962). Mediator entry too early in a dispute, it is claimed, damages this developmental cycle. Late-entry proponents argue that parties are not psycho- logically or strategically prepared to use an intervenor's services until they have reached an impasse and recognize that they can- not reach a settlement without thixd-party assistance (Perez, 1959, p. 717). The safest rule postulates that a mediator should not enter a negotiation until there is a bona fide deadlock. The reason is self-evident. A prema- ture intervention by the mediator relieves the par- ties of the pressure under which they are working. The reciprocal pressure is the basic force that keeps the parties moving through proposals and counter-