The Mediator: A Biography of Martti Ahtisaari.

MERIKALLIO, Katri and Tapani Ruokanen (Martti Ahtisaari).

Item Number: 47221

London: Hurst & Company, 2015.

First edition of this biography on the Nobel Peace prize winner. Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Inscribed by the subject on the front free endpaper, “To John Martti Ahtisaari.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Fatima Jamadar. Translated from the Finnish by David Mitchell and Pamela Kaskinen.

Martti Ahtisaari is the world's most renowned and successful mediator in international conflicts. In 2008 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his lead role in bringing independence to Namibia, Serbia's withdrawal from Kosovo, the decommissioning of weapons in Northern Ireland and autonomy for Aceh in Indonesia. Ahtisaari's range of international contacts and global experience are remarkable and his is the name which is still most often mentioned when the world looks for an individual to try to broker a peace deal. Ahtisaari also served for six years as President of Finland, the first holder of that office to be directly elected. Upon leaving office, he founded Crisis Management Initiative, an international NGO specialising in conflict resolution and development issues.