Ilta Sanomat  10.2.1998
By Rita Tainola
 
 

Text by the photo: The relationship between our countries are good and I believe they will strengthen as Ahtisaari goes to Israel. A business delegation is also welcome, for we want more business both ways. Already now practically every Israeli speaks with a Nokia mobile, tells Ali Yahya.

The Israeli Ambassador in Finland is a refreshing exception in the Corp. Diplomatic for he lives in his work with every cell of his body. He has also gained lots of friends in Finland and he tells he loves our country.

During his great two years experience in Finland Ali Yahya has gained a lot. He has arranged cultural nights in his residence, different kinds of meetings between Finnish and Israeli businessmen and several other events. Yahya believes to personal relationships.
- The best step to peace is patience created between peoples, intimate relationship and a discussion distance, for the world actually is nothing but a small village. Partly because of that I  would like to arrange in Finland a meeting between the Jordanians, Israelis and the Palestinians. We would meet under the umbrella of Finland, he paints the picture.

Ahtisaaari to Israel and to Jordan ?

A precidential elections are held in Israel in the beginning of March. There are three candidates, but it is commonly believed that the Parliament re-elects Ezer Weizman.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Tarja Halonen met with Weizman a couple of months ago. It is then when the dialogue of the possible visit of President Ahtisaari to Israel started.
- We aim all the time to find a suitable time. I believe that the visit takes place this year. We have common interests and I am sure that your President will take a large business delegation with him. It might be that Ahtisaari goes to Jordan, whom we have peace with, in the same trip, believes the Ambassador.
 
 
 
 
 

Ahtisaari's visit is definitely desired, for Israel has the 50 years Anniversary this year.
There are several festivities in the country and even in Finland different events are arranged: e.g. in Lahti, Turku and Helsinki.

Israeli Ambassador to Finland is eagerly arranging a state visit.

Ahtisaari participated Rabin's funeral.
by Kirsikka Isola
President Martti Ahtisaari's possible visit to Israel would be the first official  visit  by the President of Finland to the country.
-None of the Finnish Presidents have made an official visit to Israel, but Ahtisaari participated the funeral of Prime Minister Jitzhak Rabin (1995), informed the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Israeli Embassy Jarno Syrjala to Ilta Sanomat by phone.
Ministers of our country have however visited Israel, the last one was Minister for Foreign Affairs Tarja Halonen.

Warm and lively diplomat.

Under photo:
Ali Yahya speaks eagerly about the affairs of his country. He admits himself that he might have another  kind of angle to things compared to the rest of the people. - I am not a politician and I do not belong to any party, announces the Ambassador.

Ambassador Ali Yahya likes to talk, but it is very seldom he gives interviews. In the beginning of the meeting the Ambassador greets the editor and the photographer of Ilta Sanomat warmly with both hands. Mr. Yahya is through the whole interview exceptionally friendly and all kinds of diplomatic stiffens lacks from his nature .
The visitor feels  at ease, but one has to be alert. Ali Yahya speaks without a brake.
 
 
 
 
 

Ambassador tells at the same time - before the editor has time to ask - how almost 100 000 Palestinians can come to work in Israel and how 65% of the Palestinian budget comes from the state of Israel. He praises his own country, of course.
 

"Trust brings peace to the Middle East "

When speaking of the peace of the Middle East Yahya states:
- One can have different opinions on matters but killing each others is a waist. The only way to gain peace is to grow trust between two peoples.
He admits that the task is not easy. The aggressions are deep-rooted in side the people, and it takes a long time before one gets rid of them.
- But see, what happened to East-Germany and to Soviet Union. Nobody would have believed that they would brake down, so there is hope, Yahya says in an optimistic voice.
- We are cousins with the Palestinians and the truth is that we have to live together. Not all the problems can be  solved for sure, but   we must sit at the  same table. Unfortunately the suicide hits  and   shootings always postpone the possibility of the peace every time by years.