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Finn wins Nobel Peace Prize
Former president recognized for his more than 30 years of mediation work
AP Photo
Martti Ahtisaari’s selection drew criticism from some who wanted a focus on China.
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Published: October 11, 2008
OSLO, Norway - The former president of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, won the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday for his efforts to build a lasting peace from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Middle East.
The award, however, drew some criticism for not highlighting China's crackdown in Tibet and on human-rights activists.
Speculation had focused on using the prize to honor the 60th anniversary of the signing of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights by singling out dissidents in China, Russia and Vietnam.
"It is an opportunity missed to change the world for the better by encouraging reform in China," said Edward McMillan-Scott, a British member of the European Parliament and a founder of its Democracy and Human Rights Instrument.
He had nominated a Chinese human-rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, and an AIDS and environmental activist, Hu Jia, for the prize, two of the 197 nominations that were received by the Feb. 1 deadline.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said it honored Ahtisaari for his efforts over more than 30 years to resolve international conflicts, a return to form for the prize which has skewed toward global warming and even economics.
"These efforts have contributed to a more peaceful world and to ‘fraternity between nations' in Alfred Nobel's spirit," the committee said in announcing the prize.
"He is a world champion when it comes to peace, and he never gives up," said Ole Danbolt Mjoes, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel awards committee.
The award, he said, was in line with recent Nobels to other peace mediators, notably Jimmy Carter in 2002 and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2001.
Ahtisaari said he is looking at new challenges, particularly worldwide youth unemployment.
But he also said that the years of work have taken a toll.
"I have to start realizing that I am 71" and maybe it's time to stop "traveling 200 days a year outside Finland," he said.
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