Zitat des Tages von Martti Ahtisaari:
There are always interests that are furthered by war. Therefore, those who have power and influence can also stop them... we should not accept any excuses from those in power.
I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.
You need to carry out very careful pre-feasibility and feasibility studies before you enter any crisis situation.
If the political will is there, we can solve anything.
Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.
We are convinced that Turkey would be a useful member of the European Union.
Normally, I like to eat at home. We don't go out much. The food at home is so good.
With my mother, I moved from one household to another before settling in the eastern part of Finland, in the city of Kuopio.
Luck has a lot to do with how your life develops.
The mere fact that I'm former head of state and former under-secretary in the U.N. system, it means that I can get in touch with anybody in the world, in theory.
I saw an advertisement to work for a Swedish institute in Karachi in Pakistan. I had just been offered a permanent assignment, teaching in Oulu. But I felt, 'My God, I am not going to stay here forever.' You know why? Because I was following international events.
Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings.
No country's policies are eternal; they do vary. People are growing old, and a new generation is coming to power. In a year's time, a government can look different. You can't influence them if you don't talk to them.
I'm one of those people who, as long as I am still healthy and my thoughts are more or less clear, I don't think I can retire entirely.
Perhaps it's a curse, but when you are a Lutheran, you have a sense of responsibility.
The task of the mediator is to help the parties to open difficult issues and nudge them forward in the peace process. The mediator's role combines those of a ship's pilot, consulting medical doctor, midwife and teacher.
