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Fulbright Association
1100 G Street, N.W.
Suite 525
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 347-5543
Fax: (202) 347-6540 |
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Former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari
Receives 2000 J. William Fulbright Prize
For International Understanding |
| International Peacemaker Addresses the Future of the Balkan Region |
| WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 1, 2000) – The Fulbright Association awarded the 2000 J.
William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding to Martti Ahtisaari in a
ceremony today at the International Trade Center. President Ahtisaari, a
diplomat for over 30 years and president of Finland from 1994 to 2000, was
honored for his work as peacemaker in some of the world’s most troubled areas.
President Ahtisaari gave a major address on his experience of conflict
resolution in Kosovo and the future prospects of the region, noting, “The key
now is to maintain the level of engagement by the Western countries in
supporting the region on its road to stability and prosperity….our joint
commitment to the Balkan region must be no less than that of the commitment of
the United States in building up Western Europe after the Second World War. A
stable, democratic and prosperous Europe, at last united, is a vision shared by
all of us.” |
| President Ahtisaari recalled his involvement in the Kosovo peace process, which
began with a phone call from Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in May
1999. |
| Mr. Talbott, who participated in today’s prize ceremony, said, “President
Ahtisaari has made a tremendous contribution to international peace and
stability. His work was instrumental in ending the war in Kosovo and he has
worked tirelessly in his earlier UN posts and to help Russia integrate into
modern Europe.” |
| “Martti Ahtisaari has brought skill, patience, insight, and humaneness to some
of the most intractable problems of our time,” said Donald F. McHenry, former
ambassador and U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations and a
director of The Coca-Cola Company. Ambassador McHenry, like President
Ahtisaari, served as a negotiator in Namibia.
Ambassador McHenry and Fulbright Association President Frederick G. Acker
presented the $50,000 Fulbright Prize, made possible by a grant from The
Coca-Cola Foundation. President Ahtisaari also received a bronze statue
entitled “Tribute.” |
| The Fulbright Association created the Fulbright Prize in 1993 with a grant from
The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize extraordinary contributions toward
bringing peoples, cultures or nations to greater understanding of others.
Previous recipients of the award include South African President Nelson Mandela,
former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Philippine President Corazon C.
Aquino, Czech Republic President Václav Havel, and United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson.
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