President Ahtisaari to head the Commission of Inquiry

Government Information Unit

Press release 7/2005
9 January 2005




On Thursday, 13 January, the Government will discuss the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Asian earthquake/tsunami disaster. The Ministry of Justice will present the matter to the Government.

The Ministry of Justice has told the Chairpersons of the Government parties that the following persons will be invited to the inquiry commission:

Chairperson

President Martti Ahtisaari

Vice Chairperson

Harri Holkeri, former Prime Minister

Members

Tuomo Karppinen, Doctor of Technology,
Director of the Accident Investigation Board Finland, Shipbuilding Engineer, specialist in hydrodynamics

Esko Kaukonen, Doctor of Education
Emergency Services College, Research Officer, specialist in emergency services

Ilkka Kiviranta, Docent,
Head Physician in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Central Hospital of Central Finland, specialist in medical rescue services

Ullamaija Kivikuru, Professor in Journalism
University of Helsinki, specialist in media research and journalism

Kari Lehtola, Master of Laws with court training
Director of the Accident Investigation Board Finland, retired,
Chairperson of several commissions of inquiry

Prime Minister Vanhanen announced the proposed composition of the inquiry commission during a radio interview with the Finnish Broadcasting Company on Sunday.