NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER TO MEDIATE IN SL CONFLICT!!!

Nobel Peace Prize winner to mediate in Lankan conflict?

Oslo - Finland's former president and winner of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, Martti Ahtisaari said on Tuesday, he was receiving numerous calls to mediate in various conflicts and hinted that he had been approached about Sri Lanka.
Before stepping in as a mediator, one must make a "feasibility study," he told reporters in Oslo, the day before he was to accept the prestigious award.

Kosovo's independence process "is irreversible," Ahtisaari said, noting that some 50 countries have recognised Kosovo since it declared independence from Serbia in February.

The recognition of Kosovo was opposed by Russia among others and Ahtisaari doubted "any quick turnabout in the Russian position."

Ahtisaari welcomed the deployment that was underway of the European Union mission in Kosovo, known as Eulex, to advise local authorities on the rule of law.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee was to honour him Wednesday for his mediation efforts in countries including Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Indonesia and his role in negotiations for Namibia's independence from apartheid South Africa.

Now his office received numerous requests and he was constantly asked to comment on a range of issues. He said he would after the ceremonies assess what causes he would "lend my name to."

On other conflicts like the Middle East or what he would wish US president-elect Barrack Obama to focus on, Ahtisaari said he would give more details in his acceptance speech on Wednesday.

However, on the Middle East he repeated the need to support efforts by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the official envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East, a group including the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.Ahtisaari said he was yet to decide on what to do with the 10 million kronor (1.2 million dollars) prize money. (dpa)
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