Oslo - Martti Ahtisaari, Finland's former president and
winner of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, said Tuesday he was receiving
numerous calls to mediate in various conflicts but had 'no concrete
project.'
Before stepping in as a mediator, one must make a 'feasibility
study,' he told reporters in Oslo the day before he was to accept the
prestigíous award.
Athtisaari, 71, hinted that he had been approached about Sri
Lanka.
Kosovo's independence process 'is irreversible,' Ahtisaari said,
noting that some 50 countries have recogized Kosovo since it declared
independence from Serbia in February.
The recognition of Kosovo was opposed by among others Russia, and
Ahtisaari doubted 'any quick turnabout in the Russian position.'
Ahtisaari welcomed the deployment that was underway Tuesday of the
European Union mission in Kosovo, known as Eulex, to advise local
authoritites on rule of law.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee was to honour him Wednesday for his
mediation efforts in countries including Northern Ireland, Kosovo and
Indonesia and his role in negotiations for Namibia's independence
from apartheid South Africa.
Before the announcement in October, Ahtisaari said he had planned
to retire and to read some of the many books that had piled up on his
desk and fulfill his wife Eeva's wish to have 'more of my time.'
Now his office received numerous requests and he was constantly
asked to comment on a range of issues. He said he would after the
ceremonies assess what causes he would 'lend my name to.'
On other conflicts like the Middle East or what he would wish US
president-elect Barcack Obama to focus on, Ahtisaari said he would
give more details in his acceptance speech Wednesday.
However, on the Middle East he repeated the need to support
efforts by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the official
envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East, a group including the United
Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.
Governments should not use the financial crisis 'as an excuse' not
to carry out their undertakings to 'reduce poverty' and fulfill the
Millennium Goals agreed on by the United Nations, Ahtisaari said.
He underlined the need to create jobs and create a space in
societies for the growing number of youth - estimated to number some
1.2 billion in the next decade, according to the International Labour
Organization (ILO).
Ahtisaari said he yet to decide on what to do with the 10 million
kronor (1.2 million dollars) prize money.
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