Let's sit down and talk this over.
October 10, 2008 4:30 AM Subscribe
President Martti Ahtisaari wins the Nobel Peace Prize. A former Finnish President, an UN envoy, a social democrat, a school teacher and founder of Crisis Management Initiative has negotiated for peace in many troubled areas for three decades. Last fall and last summer CMI (without Ahtisaari's presence) called former Northern Ireland and South African militants to use their experience for finding Iraqi factions a way out of bloodshed. A plan for
Kosovo. Negotiations ending 30-year conflict in Aceh, Indonesia. Negotiating Namibia independence.
Got conflict? Mr. Ahtisaari is your man.
No George W. Bush ? Anti-American bias!!!!!
posted by Pendragon at 5:06 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Pendragon at 5:06 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
From the last link:
He recalls how he brokered the first meeting between the South African authorities and leaders of the South West African Peoples' Organization (SWAPO), fighting for Namibian independence.
"We were all in New York," he remembers. "I told them that if they came to my apartment I would provide the electricity and take-out Chinese food and they could get on with it. I just went to my study. If you can make yourself useless and unnecessary in a process, that's the best thing you can do."
I love it when the Nobel prize points me to someone cool I'd never heard of before, but am a little disappointed the committee didn't call the Chinese bluff. It seems more urgent than honoring Ahtisaari, worthy as he appears at first look.
posted by mediareport at 5:17 AM on October 10, 2008
He recalls how he brokered the first meeting between the South African authorities and leaders of the South West African Peoples' Organization (SWAPO), fighting for Namibian independence.
"We were all in New York," he remembers. "I told them that if they came to my apartment I would provide the electricity and take-out Chinese food and they could get on with it. I just went to my study. If you can make yourself useless and unnecessary in a process, that's the best thing you can do."
I love it when the Nobel prize points me to someone cool I'd never heard of before, but am a little disappointed the committee didn't call the Chinese bluff. It seems more urgent than honoring Ahtisaari, worthy as he appears at first look.
posted by mediareport at 5:17 AM on October 10, 2008
he sounds really cool, seems like Finns are inn this year
posted by infini at 5:34 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 5:34 AM on October 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
No George W. Bush ? Anti-American bias!!!!!
It's a peace prize. The anti-American bias is built in.
posted by srboisvert at 7:12 AM on October 10, 2008 [4 favorites]
It's a peace prize. The anti-American bias is built in.
posted by srboisvert at 7:12 AM on October 10, 2008 [4 favorites]
He was a lousy president but great in what he does for peace. Congratulations. Although not everyone agrees.
posted by keijo at 7:21 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by keijo at 7:21 AM on October 10, 2008
Ahtisaari had been shortlisted for the Peace Prize seemingly for years, although the nomination process is notoriously goofy since any name could be submitted for consideration.
I'm surprised no anecdotes about using the sauna as part of the negotiation process have surfaced yet, since that's been a typical meeting spot to establish equality. New Yorkers can see a signed portrait of Ahtisaari in the main room of the Russian & Turkish baths on East 10th.
posted by myopicman at 7:26 AM on October 10, 2008
I'm surprised no anecdotes about using the sauna as part of the negotiation process have surfaced yet, since that's been a typical meeting spot to establish equality. New Yorkers can see a signed portrait of Ahtisaari in the main room of the Russian & Turkish baths on East 10th.
posted by myopicman at 7:26 AM on October 10, 2008
It's a peace prize. The anti-American bias is built in.
posted by srboisvert 14 minutes ago
A favourite just isn't good enough for a high quality snark. Can we get some pointage around here to denote real quality? ;p
posted by infini at 7:28 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by srboisvert 14 minutes ago
A favourite just isn't good enough for a high quality snark. Can we get some pointage around here to denote real quality? ;p
posted by infini at 7:28 AM on October 10, 2008
That's the Finnish way - steam them hot enough and they'll agree to anything. Hmm... wait. Or was it the American way? Very confused here.
posted by keijo at 7:36 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by keijo at 7:36 AM on October 10, 2008
Yeah he never seemed comfortable in his job as president. He didn't take well to being a public persona and clearly his desires, talents and ambitions were in the international arena doing the very things he got the peace prize for. He wasn't all that bad as president but it clearly wasn't his thing. He did not seek re-election after his first term.
posted by Authorized User at 8:05 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by Authorized User at 8:05 AM on October 10, 2008
seems the coverage is helping balance the overwhelming association with Nokia till now
posted by infini at 8:16 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by infini at 8:16 AM on October 10, 2008
At least his price is getting up, can't say the same of Nokia.
posted by keijo at 9:00 AM on October 10, 2008
posted by keijo at 9:00 AM on October 10, 2008
Europe vexes China with rights award to dissident
posted by homunculus at 9:58 AM on October 23, 2008
posted by homunculus at 9:58 AM on October 23, 2008
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posted by twoleftfeet at 5:02 AM on October 10, 2008