Harri Holkeri | |
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| 36thPrime Minister of Finland | |
| In office 30 April 1987 – 26 April 1991 | |
| President | Mauno Koivisto |
| Deputy | Kalevi Sorsa Pertti Paasio |
| Preceded by | Kalevi Sorsa |
| Succeeded by | Esko Aho |
| 4thSpecial Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo | |
| In office 25 August 2003 – 11 July 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Steiner |
| Succeeded by | Søren Jessen-Petersen |
| President of the United Nations General Assembly | |
| In office 5 September 2000 – 10 September 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Theo-Ben Gurirab |
| Succeeded by | Han Seung-soo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harri Hermanni Holkeri (1937-01-06)6 January 1937 Oripää, Finland |
| Died | 7 August 2011(2011-08-07) (aged 74) Helsinki, Finland |
| Political party | National Coalition |
| Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
| Profession | Master of Political Sciences |
Harri Hermanni Holkeri (Finnish pronunciation:[ˈhɑrːiˈhermɑnːiˈholkeri]; 6 January 1937 – 7 August 2011)[1] was aFinnish statesman representing theNational Coalition Party of Finland (Kokoomus / Samlingspartiet). He was thePrime Minister of Finland 1987–1991,[2] president of theUN General Assembly 2000–2001 and headed theUnited Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo from 2003 to 2004 (leaving the position in the summer of the second year because of health issues).
Harri Holkeri was member of the board of directors of theBank of Finland from 1978 to 1997,[3] and candidate in thepresident elections of1982 and1988. 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.[4] On 1 July 1991 he made the world's first officialGSM call, toKaarina Suonio, vice mayor of the city of Tampere.[5][6] The historic call usedNokia gear on GSM's original 900 MHz band.
He chaired theUnited Nations General Assembly during the55th session (2000–2001). He also played a constructive role in securing theGood Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.[7]
In his last years, Holkeri resided inKruununhaka, Helsinki, where on a November day in 2008 he was walking outside a grocery store, when a robber tackled him while fleeing. Holkeri was badly wounded, broke his hip and needed a joint replacement surgery on his hips. The suspect turned himself in to the police, but stated that he did not intend to harm Holkeri and that the tackle was an accident. Holkeri sued the suspect for temporary and permanent damages for a total of €8,400.[8][9][10]
Holkeri died in 2011 in Helsinki.[11]
Holkeri was awarded the highest Finnish honorary title ofCounselor of State in 1998 by the President of FinlandMartti Ahtisaari.
Holkeri's efforts in Northern Ireland were rewarded with an honoraryKBE from QueenElizabeth II of the United Kingdom.[7]
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| Preceded by | Prime Minister of Finland 1987–1991 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | President of the United Nations General Assembly 2000–2001 | Succeeded by |
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