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Anger erupts over Nobel Peace Prize recipient

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:27 PM EST 10/10/08

Results-oriented Finnish diplomat who pushes for an end to violent conflicts doesn't always please the parties at the table ...Read the full article

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  1. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Politics! Politics!! Politics!!!

    When was the Nobel Prize instituted? Did Mahatma Gandhi receive a Nobel Prize?
  2. Jonathan Gagne from Toronto, Canada writes: The prize was first awarded in 1901, it would most likely have been awarded to Mohandas Gandhi had he not been assassinated. So I guess you have to be alive to win, and yes its very political, check last years winner Al Gore
  3. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: The fact that he's got so many people upset means he probably deserved it.
  4. t devitt from Canada writes: while political due to media spin the man had an exemplary record with a nearly undo-able mandate and deserves kudo's for the efforts.
    Read the award PEACE PRIZE
    Nothing to do with politics ,appart from the sides involved!
    and while recognition can be made to a deceased person the award goes to the living. Can't take it with you and all that lol.
    1500 living nobel scientists signed the warning to human kind in 1999 check it out...
  5. Jacob Stevenson from Toronto, Canada writes: Mr. Ahtisaari seems like a very practical man. Result oriented. I am sure he follows his orders - probably a brilliant technocrat and as such he deserves recognition but not the Nobel Prize.
    I am very cynical towards his accomplishments especially the one in Kosovo. The temporary 'solution' (read: a quick way out) has been found but only time will tell if that was the solution or just a fertile ground for one of future conflicts. The Balkans have seen more than their share of imposed 'solutions' throughout the history and all of them, eventually, failed.
  6. Omer Majeed from Toulouse, France writes: Congratulations to Mr. Ahtisaari for winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

    However, the assertion in the article that Finland is a former Soviet satellite state, similar to the countries of the defunct Warsaw Pact is incorrect. Following the Second World War, Finland established a cautious foreign policy towards the Soviet Union and trade between the two countries became significant, as well. But Finns have never considered themselves anything less than fully independent and they fought tenaciously to maintain their sovereignty.

    A parallel closer to home might be the current close political and economic relationship between Canada and the United States.
  7. Clark Kellog from Calgary, Canada writes: Ironic, getting the peace prize is going to start a fight.
  8. Sys Crusher from Canada writes: neutrality and impartialty are distinct but often confused with one another

    its impossible and undesireable to be impartial in mediating an international conflict

    neutrality implies you are indifferent to the outcome -which is rarely the case
  9. Peering Out from Finland writes: Ignorance is bliss. What are you people talking about?!? Some of the most ignorant comments i have ever read on the G&M forum... Finland being a former Soviet Satellite was very funny, looool! Ahtisaari was rewarded for a lifetime of work towards peace and reconciliation, nothing more nothing less. If there were only more people like him... u people r sick...
  10. Peering Out from Finland writes: au contraire, spider (from Mars, where else...), being 'instrumental' in the [..] creation of an independent Kosovo took quite a bit of doing... and again, rather than view it as 'Machiavellism' [sic], or an 'accelerated decay of basic values and moral bankruptcy', one could view it as somebody attempting to work within the system to try to achieve something desirable...
  11. A A from Mississauga, Canada writes: For Serbs or Russians to say this is a 'bad joke' is like Bush complaining for low rating approvals.

    Looks like some people would rather hear about civilian casualties and burned cities and villages than this.

    Go figure...
  12. A A from Mississauga, Canada writes: // spider from Mars, writes: Just another sign (or proof I should say) of accelerated decay of basic values and moral bankruptcy.
    ----------------------------------------

    Great line.

    Now... name one basic value that decayed...
  13. Rum Bunny from Canada writes: Ahtisaari provides a protective screen for those on opposing sides willing to settle their disputes without them then falling victim to even crazier and more vile extremists on their own sides.

    It would have been more accurate to have called Finland an economic satellite of the USSR while it was paying reparations in the postwar period. It is ironic that the national planning, effort, and privation that went into producing goods for Russia gratis laid the foundations for the enormous economic growth that started shortly after reparations ended and has continued to this day.

    That must have pissed off the Russians no end.
  14. Albin Forone from Canada writes: On their respective roles in brokering peace agreements, I don't see on the merits how he gets the prize ahead of Richard Holbrooke - obviously RH would follow too closely on another Yank, Al Gore. Even so, the award to Ahtisaari absolves the Nobel Peace Prize committee of any allegations that it's anti-US - the Literature Prize committee has yet to similarly absolve itself.
  15. The Iconoclast from Canada writes: The bar is rather low - even Kissinger got one.
  16. James Cavalluzzo from Victoria, Canada writes: Finns would be very surprised to learn that their nation was a 'former Soviet satellite state'. And Finns may be Nordic, but they are not 'Scandinavians'. Who wrote this article? Is there an editor in the house?
  17. Keith Sutton from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Neat article. But then it closes with, 'and dangle very solid carrots and sticks at the bargaining table.' Dangling carrots and sticks? Oddest phrase I've read in months.
  18. Will Hoaccio from Canada writes: I think Ahtisaari (damn you Finns, with you're weird names!) deserves the prize. More importantly, I dislike the idea that a Nobel Prize Recipient has to be some kind of messiah with no controversy surrounding him. Resolving civil wars and internal conflicts has to be the most complex job on earth, and there are no 'right' answers looking forward. With the benefit of hindsight we can say some policies worked better than others, and I think Mr. Ahtisaari's role in Aceh, Namibia and (thusfar) Kosovo would fall into this category.
  19. Trudeau's Apricot poodle from Canada writes: Positive results are required in a timely manner. The tendency, especially in the UN for a politically correct postponement any meaningful action is a total waste of time and money.
  20. Dawn from Minnesota from Minnesota, United States writes: Peering Out from Finland writes: Ignorance is bliss. What are you people talking about?!? Some of the most ignorant comments i have ever read on the G&M forum... Finland being a former Soviet Satellite was very funny, looool! Ahtisaari was rewarded for a lifetime of work towards peace and reconciliation, nothing more nothing less. If there were only more people like him... u people r sick...
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Peering Out from Finland: I agree with you. I think Ahtisaari deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. He worked hard to help resolve very difficult conflicts. In any conflict there are at least two sides, and all parties will not be happy with the outcome. Sometimes no side even remotely gets what it wants, but the fighting stops. Pay no mind to ignorant comments in this thread. Some G&M readers were happy about the earthquake in China, others blamed the RCMP officer who was shot to death by a thug in Hay River for his own death, a few readers held Bush responsible for the wildfires in California, and there were numerous very personal, nasty comments directed to the residents of Black Tickle, a very small town in Labrador that is struggling to survive after the cod fisheries closed. Don't take the comments here personally. If we are going to have peace in the G&M comments forum, we have keep our eyes on the bigger picture, the wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas that this forum provides, and not get upset about the few posts that we find offensive. :)
  21. J. Michael from Australia writes: Peace always has a price; sometimes a very high price; it is never free. Men of peace are always controversial.
  22. LUCIEN ALEXANDRE MARION from Gatineau. Qc., Canada writes: DAWN from Minnesota, United States.... What you wrote , I think is from a great Nobility of heart and with a great Diplomaty. I beleive in those values and I respect the freedom of expression. Nobody is perfect in this world and if I may say, promoting Peace starts within our ownself and it reflects on others for those of good will. What you wrote is very beautiful and worthy. Thank You-Merci.
  23. steve allan from Canada writes: Did the Nobel committee mention in their press release that Ahtisaari comes from a family of Nazi collaborators and to this day he refuses to denounce Nazism?

    I didn't think so.
  24. Darren Henry from Victoria, Canada writes: I'm perturbed by the generalizations some individuals have made here regarding the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize is not always awarded to the most anti-American, or white imperial supremacists. Some of the recipients are actually incredibly deserving of international recognition for their important work. A prime example is Dr. Wangari Maathai. An activist for women, the environment and democracry, and with decades of experience, Dr. Maathai is the very embodiment of the values that the Peace Prize celebrates. There are others as well, but I mention that one in particular because I feel she's a great example of what we all should be striving for, peace, equality and respect for our planet.
  25. Davis Armstrong from Montreal, Canada writes: Nobel Peace Prize, seems had became a prostitute. Anyone with power or money can get fun from her, by awarding her to ... .
  26. Joe Smith from Canada writes: It amazes me that so many people are critical of the Nobel Peace Prize (which is NOT awarded by the Swedish Academy, BTW). Steve Allan especially wants to throw a lot of babies out with the bathwater -- like the guy who won the prize a few years ago for the bank micro-loan project in Bangladesh, that Iranian human-rights lawyer, the Northern Ireland peace process guys... all 'scoundrels' in Steve Allan's eyes. What a jaded world view!
  27. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: steve allan from Canada writes: Did the Nobel committee mention in their press release that Ahtisaari comes from a family of Nazi collaborators and to this day he refuses to denounce Nazism?
    -----
    Steve in our decades old 'Rewritten new kinda History' many true facts from that era have been buried and in the 'Tried To Be Forgotten' losers file. Today Nazism is relegated to goofs like the Skin Heads or some White Racial bunch of wingnuts. BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS SO.

    Nazi's were EVERYWHERE.
    Including many, many prominent Canadians not only in business but in political leadership as well.

    And our S.Cousins actually had a party of 2 million Nazi sympathizers and were the 3rd most powerful party in the American nation. Even two fathers of two future US Presidents had very 'in depth' dealings with Berlin. One father even smuggled German arms into Ireland before Churchill booted his butt back to Boston. Hell Henry Ford agreed with most of the Nazi plans.

    It was the same in most of the western world. In England, they had 'The Black Shirts' even the King of England was a Nazi admirer. And so were many of the Old Upper Class families.

    What our young are taught today-- wasn't true in yesteryear Steve.

    Primary to WWII Russia invaded Finland and took much of Kerala where this man's family was driven into refugee status from. After that Finland became allied with Germany and many refugees became understandably Nazi Party Members. Just like many Canadians and Americans, plus the English before WWII started-- did also.

    Steve if you put every former Nazi in Europe or N.America in prison you would need a prison to hold 50/60 million people (still living). And virtually all four little Baltic nations and plus Sweden/Finland also.

    Maybe real history should be re-written instead of false history huh?
  28. Watcher 1983 from Canada writes: The Nobel Peace Prize has been a socialist joke for many years. Ignore it.
  29. ng h from Canada writes: Watcher 1983: A socialist joke? would that include the 1983 prize for Lech Walesa standing up to the Communist government in Poland? While it is by no means a universal standard for saintliness, at least they are trying to point to someone doing something positive to reduce violence and advance peace in the world.
  30. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: My good God this modern education!

    Am I ever lucky to never have passed Grade I
    And that is the TRUTH--Except for 3 days in the First Grade.
    You "Educated" people are a Snot Puzzler and far Stupider too!
    From what I see on these posts--
    You highly educated folks don't know your a$$ from a hole in the ground
  31. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:
    On the bright side of the criticisms levelled, this award is not anyhere near as foul as that given jointly to Shimon Peres and the late Yasir Arafat.

    But it does look like the critics are well founded in their overt distastes for the recipient.
  32. Dave Howell from Salt Spring Is, Canada writes: Last time I looked the Swede's (for the Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, and Physiology/Medicine prizes), and the Norwegians (for the Peace prize), wern't asking for anyone else's opinion on who to award THIER prizes to. As the prizes are awarded to any person anywhere in the world and given human nature to be passionate about any subj., & with so many facets to any subj. To imagine that there wouldn't be someone in disagreement to an award would be ludicrous.
    The peace prize recipiant is decided upon by 5 people elected by the Norwegian Storting (parliment). This prize is awarded in Oslo and presented to the recipiant by the King of Norway. The other prizes are awarded (on the same day) in Stockholm and presented by the King of Sweden. These prizes are selected by: Swedish Accadamy of Science for Chemistry, Physics & Economics. A 4-5 person panal selected by Swedish Acadamy of Literature for Literature. A 5 member panal forming the Swedish Nobel Assembly are selected from the Kardinska Inst., to select the recipiant of the Physiology/medicine prize.

    James Cavalluzzo of Victoria informs us that Finland is NOT part of Scandinavia. I beg to differ James. My research indicates that Finland IS part of Scandinavia. Also considered parts of Scandinavia in modern times are the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. But don't take my word for it, Google Scandinavia.
  33. Dawn from Minnesota from Minnesota, United States writes: To Dave Howell from Salt Spring Is, Canada: Thank you for making clear to everybody how the Nobel Prize is awarded. The prizes are THEIR prizes, and they have a right to determine who wins them. You are right: Finland IS part of Scandinavia. Some scholars challenged considering Finland a Scandinavian country because the Finnish language is unrelated to other Scandinavian languages. Finnish is a Finno-Ugric language. There are three major languages in that group: Finnish, Hungarian, and Persian. The Saami spread Finno-Ugric dialects (dialects related to the modern Finnish language) to northern parts of Norway and Sweden. Some Saami dialects are still spoken in the far norther part of Norway and Sweden. Finno-Ugric dialects are also spoken in Russia, Siberia, Estonia, etc. What I have heard from a native speaker of Hungarian, a Finno-Ugric language, who was exposed to Finnish is that Finnish seemed familiar, but it was not understandable. Shared pitch patterns, timing, and the sound of words likely created the sense of familiarity. I hope Peering Out from Finland will provide us with some expert input from Finland. I am sure a Finn will be able to provide better information on the Finnish language than any attempt that I can make. :)
  34. Dawn from Minnesota from Minnesota, United States writes: To LUCIEN ALEXANDRE MARION from Gatineau. Qc., Canada: Thank you for you kind comments. The online edition of G&M is the best online newspaper I know of. I find comments posted in response to articles to be both educational and an interesting revelation of many people's thoughts on a variety of subjects. When there is an emergency situation somewhere in the world, it seems there is always somebody local who posts comments to provide information and clarity about what is going on. I really cherish this forum.
  35. Thomas D'Arcy McGee from Canada writes:
    If Russia and Serbia object to this Finnish gentleman winning the Nobel Peace Prize, that's about the strongest possible endorsement of the Nobel committee's decision.

    Look's like they got it right.
  36. // spider from Mars, writes: Thomas D'Arcy McGee from Canada writes:
    If Russia and Serbia object to this Finnish gentleman winning the Nobel Peace Prize, that's about the strongest possible endorsement of the Nobel committee's decision.
    ===
    Let me clue you in:

    Russia's and Serbia's objections are based on on the fact that Ahtisaari was personally involved in the process of creating the "independent" quasi-state of Kosovo contary to the international law.

    Your statement appears to be based on ignorance and bigotry.

    Conclusion: looks like you got it wrong.

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