Former Finnish President Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:00:24 +0000
AHN Staff

Stockholm, Sweden (AHN) - The Norwegian Nobel Committee concluded the week-long awarding of Nobel winners by declaring on Friday former Finland President Martti Ahtisaari as the Peace Prize recipient for 2008.

The committee said it selected Ahtisaari for his efforts covering continents and over 30 years to resolve international conflicts and to work for brotherhood among nations. The 71-year old ex-president has been shortlisted as a Nobel Peace Prize candidate since 2005 after he worked to stop the 130-year old conflict between the Indonesian government and leaders of the separatist movement in Aceh.

Other areas where Ahtisaari has made significant inroads in resolving conflicts were in Northern Ireland, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa.

In announcing the award of a $1.4 million prize to the former Finnish head of government, the committee said, "Through his untiring efforts and good results, he has shown what role mediation of various kinds can play in the resolution of international conflicts."

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