Harri Holkeri
| Valtioneuvos (Counselor of State) Harri Holkeri KBE |
|
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Finland | |
| In office April 30, 1987 – April 26, 1991 |
|
| President | Mauno Koivisto |
| Deputy | Kalevi Sorsa (1987–1989) Pertti Paasio (1989–1991) |
| Preceded by | Kalevi Sorsa |
| Succeeded by | Esko Aho |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1937 Oripää, Finland |
| Died | August 7, 2011 (aged 74) Helsinki, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Political party | National Coalition Party of Finland |
| Spouse(s) | Marja-Liisa Lepistö |
| Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
| Profession | Master of Political Sciences |
Harri Hermanni Holkeri KBE (Hon) (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈhɑrːi ˈhermɑnːi ˈholkeri]) (January 6, 1937 – August 7, 2011)[1] was a Finnish statesman representing the National Coalition Party of Finland (Kokoomus / Samlingspartiet). He was the Prime Minister of Finland 1987–1991,[2] speaker of the UN General Assembly 2000–2001 and headed the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo from 2003- 2004 (leaving the position in the spring of the second year because of health issues).
Domestic offices[edit]
Harri Holkeri was member of the board of directors of the Bank of Finland from 1978–97, and candidate in the president elections of 1982 and 1988. He also served as a member of Parliament from 1970 to 1978 and as the chairman of the National Coalition (Conservative) Party from 1971 to 1979.[3] On July 1, 1991, he made the world's first GSM call. The historic call used Nokia gear on GSM's original 900MHz band.
Legacy[edit]
He chaired the United Nations General Assembly, 2000–2001. He also played a constructive role in securing the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.[4]
Honors and awards[edit]
Domestic[edit]
Holkeri was awarded the highest Finnish honorary title of Valtioneuvos (Counselor of State) in 1998 by the President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari.
Foreign[edit]
Holkeri's efforts in Northern Ireland were rewarded with an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[4]
References[edit]
| Wikinews has related news: Former Prime Minister of Finland Harri Holkeri dies aged 74 |
- ^ "Harri Holkeri on kuollpt". MTV3 (in Finnish). 7 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ "Ministerikortisto". Valtioneuvosto.
- ^ "What Where When – Citizen's Yearbook"/Mitä Missä Milloin – Kansalaisen vuosikirja, editions 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980; Otava Publications Ltd., Helsinki, Finland)
- ^ a b "Ex-PM Harri Holkeri dies at 74". YLE. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kalevi Sorsa |
Prime Minister of Finland 1987–1991 |
Succeeded by Esko Aho |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by Theo-Ben Gurirab |
President of the United Nations General Assembly 2000–2001 |
Succeeded by Han Seung-soo |
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| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harri Holkeri. |
- 1937 births
- 2011 deaths
- People from Oripää
- National Coalition Party politicians
- Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Prime Ministers of Finland
- Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly
- Permanent Representatives of Finland to the United Nations
- United Nations Mission in Kosovo