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I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

- Martti Ahtisaari
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Author:
Martti Ahtisaari
Tags:
Living
Know
Mercy
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I have no superhuman powers. If people don't want to make peace, there is nothing I can do.

If the political will is there, we can solve anything.

The origins of my career as a peace mediator can be found from my childhood years. I was born in the city of Viipuri, then still part of Finland. We lost Viipuri when the Soviet Union attacked my country. Along with 400,000 fellow Karelians, I became an eternally displaced person in the rest of Finland.

I saw an advertisement to work for a Swedish institute in Karachi in Pakistan. I had just been offered a permanent assignment, teaching in Oulu. But I felt, 'My God, I am not going to stay here forever.' You know why? Because I was following international events.

In the last year of my presidency, I travelled 200 days out of 365. You have to lead a very disciplined life. To be able to do that, I need a lot of sleep. But I have no problems sleeping. On long days, I can easily take a nap for 20 minutes in the afternoon.

Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings.

If the political will is there, we can solve anything.

In the last year of my presidency, I travelled 200 days out of 365. You have to lead a very disciplined life. To be able to do that, I need a lot of sleep. But I have no problems sleeping. On long days, I can easily take a nap for 20 minutes in the afternoon.

With my mother, I moved from one household to another before settling in the eastern part of Finland, in the city of Kuopio.

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I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.

I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.