Ahtisaari to Parliament: world’s conflicts can be resolved

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Former President Martti Ahtisaari said on Wednesday before the Finnish Parliament, that all of the conflicts of the world can be resolved, and that there is no excuse for allowing them to drag on into perpetuity.
      Ahtisaari, who was awarded last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, made his comments in a lecture arranged in honour of his winning the prize.
     The Nobel laureate said that it is intolerable that violent conflicts continue for decades, causing immeasurable human suffering. At the same time they serve as impediments to economic and social development.
     
Presidents usually speak before the Finnish Parliament only at the openings and closings of Parliament. Ahtisaari is the first Finnish president to address Parliament in another capacity.
     The unusual nature of the event could be sensed in the chamber. Few Members of Parliament were absent. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) were away on work-related travel, however.
     Speaker of Parliament Sauli Niinistö (Nat. Coalition Party) expressed the Parlaiment’s respectful congratulations for the prize.
     
The main theme of Ahtisaari’s speech was that the economic recession offers a unique opportunity for conflict resolution. “The window is open”, Ahtisaari said. He did not mention NATO in his address.
     His speech touched upon a wide range of issues, including questions concerning China, Russia, the UN, the position of women, the United States and Africa. In the Middle East, he called for an opening of dialogue with the Hamas movement.
     Ahtisaari said that Finland should fulfil its old commitments on the increasing of development aid. He said that Western countries should make efforts to achieve the UN goal of 0.7 per cent of GDP going to development aid.
     
Ahtisaari noted that peace is more than just social stability or the absence of war.
     “Peace is the second home of people living amidst unrest, which can give strength. It is a state of mind in which a person can be freed from hopelessness. Peace extends to the innermost being of everyone”, he said.
     He warned all countries against refusing to negotiate ever with a particular adversary.
     
“If one side believes that, then the conflict could become too lengthy from the point of view of each side.”
     Frozen conflicts in his view are often the results of a lack of skill or of courage in seeking a solution.
     In recognition of Ahtisaari’s prize, Parliament increased funding for his Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) organisation.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ahtisaari emphasises role in ending apartheid (26.1.2009)
  Nobel Peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari makes appeal for peace in Middle East (11.12.2008)
  Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari speaks of double standards in peace work (10.12.2008)
  Martti Ahtisaari wins 2008 Nobel Peace Prize (10.10.2008)

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