Ahern returns to international stage with peacemaker role

BERTIE Ahern edged back into the international limelight as he took up a global peacemaking role.

The former Taoiseach has been appointed to the World Economic Forum’s council on negotiation and conflict resolution in a move seen as aiding his ambitions to secure a top post at the United Nations or European Union.

Other figures invited to join the prestigious group include former US President Jimmy Carter, as well as ex-US senator George Mitchell and former Finland President Marti Ahtisaari who both helped in the Northern peace process along with Mr Ahern.

The council will have up to 30 members and aims to “address many crucial challenges of humankind to ensure that relevant experiences on such issues are fully explored”.

Mr Ahern said he was honoured to be asked to join the forum.

“It is my belief that there is still much to learn from the shared experiences and the difficulties that this small island has addressed and resolved throughout the years. I look forward to making a contribution to this global agenda council and I hope that some of my experiences will be of value in dealing with conflict situations and developments internationally.”

In recent years, anti-globalisation protesters have targeted the forum claiming it acts as a shadowy organisation promoting the interests of big business.

The forum has hit back at the conspiracy theories and insists it aims to make multinational companies live up to their social and environmental responsibilities.

The forum’s annual meeting, usually in the Swiss resort of Davos, attracts power players from global politics and business as well as environmental and anti-poverty campaigners.

Bono and Bill Gates used the forum to launch initiatives in the past, though the forum has tried to tone down its showbusiness links since Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Richard Gere and Michael Douglas stole the headlines in 2006.

However, this year’s gathering in Davos still attracted the likes of rock stars Peter Gabriel and Bono, as well as Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson, who attended to promote the various causes they are involved with.

Mr Ahern has kept a low profile since stepping down as taoiseach in May in the wake of his appearances before the Mahon corruption probe. He had indicated he would prefer a role in combating HIV/AIDS rather than conflict resolution.

The council will meet in Dubai this November to discuss its remit and how best to deal with world conflicts. Members will not be paid but can claim travel and hotel expenses.

A meeting between Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat at Davos in 1994 restarted the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The World Economic Forum was started by Swiss professor Klaus Schwab in 1971 and is run as a not-for-profit member-based organisation.