The stunning choice shocked Nobel observers because Mr. Obama took office less than two weeks before the February 1 nomination deadline.
U.S. President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to encourage his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.
Many observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency, which began less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline and has yet to yield concrete achievements in peacemaking.
Some around the world objected to the choice of Mr. Obama, who still oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has launched deadly counter-terror strikes in Pakistan and Somalia.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee countered that it was trying “to promote what he stands for and the positive processes that have started now.” It lauded the change in global mood wrought by Mr. Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the U.S. role in combating climate change.
The peace prize was created partly to encourage ongoing peace efforts but Mr. Obama’s efforts are at far earlier stages than past winners’ The Nobel committee acknowledged that they may not bear fruit at all.
“He got the prize because he has been able to change the international climate,” Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. “Some people say, and I understand it, isn’t it premature? Too early? Well, I’d say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond — all of us.”
The selection to some extent reflects a trans-Atlantic divergence on Mr. Obama. In Europe and much of the world he is lionized for bringing the United States closer to mainstream global thinking on issues like climate change and multilateralism. At home, the picture is more complicated. As president, Mr. Obama is often criticized as he attempts to carry out his agenda — drawing fire over a host of issues from government spending to health care to the conduct of the war in Afghanistan.
U.S. Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele contended that Mr. Obama won the prize as a result of his “star power” rather than meaningful accomplishments.
“The real question Americans are asking is what has President Obama actually accomplished?” Mr. Steele said.
Mr. Obama’s election and foreign policy moves caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the U.S. around the world. A 25-nation poll of 27,000 people released in July by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found double-digit boosts to the percentage of people viewing the U.S. favourably in countries around the world. That indicator had plunged across the world under President George W. Bush.
“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” Mr. Jagland said.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has made no secret of his admiration for Mr. Obama, called the decision the embodiment of the “return of America into the hearts of the people of the world.”
But Mr. Obama’s work is far from done, on numerous fronts.
He said he would end the Iraq war but has been slow to bring the troops home and the real end of the U.S. military presence there won’t come until at least 2012.
He’s running a second war in the Muslim world, in Afghanistan — and is seriously considering ramping up the number of U.S. troops on the ground and asking for help from others, too.
“I don’t think Mr. Obama deserves this. I don’t know who’s making all these decisions. The prize should go to someone who has done something for peace and humanity,” said Ahmad Shabir, 18-year-old student in Kabul. “Since he is the president, I don’t see any change in U.S. strategy in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Mr. Obama has said that battling climate change is a priority. But the U.S. seems likely to head into crucial international negotiations set for Copenhagen in December with Obama-backed legislation still stalled in Congress.
Former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the prize in 1983, questioned whether Mr. Obama deserved it now.
“So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far. He is still at an early stage. He is only beginning to act,” Mr. Walesa said.
“This is probably an encouragement for him to act. Let’s see if he perseveres. Let’s give him time to act,” Mr. Walesa said.
Last year’s prize winner, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, saw the award as vindication that Mr. Obama “is ready to seriously seek a solution to the question of Israel and Palestine,” he told Finnish broadcaster YLE.
“Of course, this puts pressure on Obama. The world expects that he will also achieve something,” Mr. Ahtisaari said.
Mr. Obama is the third sitting U.S. president to win the award: President Theodore Roosevelt won in 1906 and President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the prize in 1919.
Keywords: US President, Barack Obama, Nobel Peace prize
Good Morning,
Sir how Barack Obama will be able to overtake the current pathetic political and social problems.
It came as a great surprise for me when I heard that Mr. Barack Obama won the Nobel Prize for Peace. While I congratulate Mr. Obama for his achievement, it is hard to digest the fact that he has been awarded such a prestigious prize within a very short span of time after being appointed the President of USA and he hasn't done much towards ensuring global peace so far.
For the first time has someone got a Nobel for "Hope". But its a pity that the Norwegian committee, didn't find Gandhi's ideologies, his achievements "hopeful" enough.
A man whose efforts are currently too short of being said as even "started" has been awarded such a token of appreciation. Its really surprising to see a committee which took 91 years to appreciate the work of Jane Addams and which took more than a decade after Mother Teressa extended her efforts globally towards peace,has given the award to the latest US president without having done anything concrete.
But its good that at least now a lot of people may think themselves eligible for the award.
My congratulations to Obama. He is an icon for change. He brought confidance among crores of people whose opportunities are suppressed. He also worked sincerely to remove mistrust among the Muslims. He believed in negotiation and not confrontation. He also declared that Americans are not super humans. It is a fact that for Obama, his position certainly helped to address all these concerns. But how many utilise opportunities that come their way unless they have the understanding, empathy and the will.
Obama himself says he emulated from Mahatma Gandhi. Nobel laurete Martin Luther King was inspired by Mahatma Gandhiji. Gandhiji spend the whole of his life for peace and freedom. But he didn't get a Nobel Prize; maybe he doesn't 'deserve' it. Again the wizard of Menlow park, Edison was not awarded Nobel prize. Mr Obama! People of the world expect miracles from you! KEEP IT UP. Congratulations! But never be misled by these awards!
If we keep this debate apart and analyze the things from other side, I feel Obama, with his incredible flair, has managed to bring the world together on several contentious issues. Be it the war on terrorism or his policies on nuclear non-proliferation, all his efforts in setting up a new stage is truly commendable. Although it is a little early to confer him with a Nobel, this defnitely increases his responsibility for solving the current global issues with more conscious and sincere approach.
The Nobel committee has did itself proud today......its not always achievement, not always pain one has to go through before gain, not always to prove oneself, not always stand tall. Obama is looked upon by people around the world, he brings hope, right ...attitude, courage, no capitalistic attitude, no facism, living example for a great human being irrespective of belief - region, religion, politics, or whatever it is.
Nobel Peace Prize to Obama
President Obama is universally admired for his ability to listen and understand those who oppose him. He is a model of a leader who has the fortitude and conviction to accept a world of imperfection yet strive to make it better within the limitation of a very imperfect humanity. Obama represents a new opportunity for the world to manage issues with a diplomatic approach, using multilateral decision matrices instead of the unilateral tendencies of the past.
If you want to understand why President Obama was nominated, and why he won, look at what he has done for the world in the short time he has been in office. Yes, it seems as if Obama more so inspires hope and peace by himself and not through his actions, but to be yourself you have to do what you do. I think that even if he just inspires people because of who and how he is, it is still worthy of a prize because he is someone that, at least one person in every country, has hope in. That kind of aspiration is phenomenal.
I don't understand why people feel the need to be so unbelieving and skeptical about his award. I don't understand why people feel that they must compare him with the previous winners. People are who they are and can only do as much as the rest of the world allows them. I think that through all the speculation and hardships thrown at President Obama, he has performed excellently and does what he can (which is all anyone can ever ask of anyone else) to achieve the goals he and the American public have set.
It is wonderful news that Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize. He does bring a whole new outlook and approach to the international cooperation and negotiation scene.
C.O.T Azeez
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Heartiest Congratulations to Mr. Obama on his winning the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. The decision to select Mr. Obama for this year's Nobel Peace Prize is right. Mr. Obama has an urge to establish global peace. He has abondoned the decision of deploying the Missile Defence System in Poland and Czech Republic in consultation with Russia. We hope soon both Russia and the U.S. will agree to reduce the quantity of their nuclear arms. Mr. Obama's endeavours to make the world free of nuclear weapons is commendable. His efforts to prevent N-proliferation has also been globally welcomed. He has also shown strong inclinations to resolve the world issues through "dialogue and diplomacy". We hope the Nobel Peace Prize will not only make him more responsible in matters of global peace and prosperity but also inspire him to work with more zeal to achieve the humanistic goals. On its part, India is committed towards the evolution of a world free from nuclear arms. Mr. Obama strengthen the UNO and other Peace Forums to resolve world isues in a peaceful manner. No one wants war and also no one wants to spend hugely on stockpling armaments to destroy each other.
With its unjustified battles in Iraq and Afghanistan, its military bases all over the world, its ever increasing military spending (which is almost half of the world’s total military expenditure) and its defiance to reduce its own nuclear arsenal – the US is the one of the last countries I would consider as a promoter of worldwide peace. Its president – Mr. Barack Obama has been quite promising on matters of global interest; but he is, till now, a man of more words than action. I believe the Nobel peace prize was awarded to him in haste, eroding the sanctity of the honour.
Is there really peace in the world today? To emphasize the need for enduring peace (or to at least instill a thought), the Nobel Committee could have refrained from presenting the peace prize citing the reason as ‘lack of peace’.
All of us understand the rational behind awarding someone with noble peace award that is peace in action. Though President Obama has promised a lot ranging from peace in the middle east,nuclear non proliferation to better climate for future generation but we are still to see them in action. As of now these promises just gives us the feel of utopia, nothing more. Moreover such selection raises the question on the credibility of Nobel Prize itself.
Hats off to the Nobel Committee! This is a pre-emptive strike by them. Now, the American President would think twice before waging a war! An anticipatory declaration of peace loving people in the garb of recognition, the Nobel committee deserves a Nobel for this brilliant strategy. What a beautiful deterrent!
If it is hope, promise and expectation which have made the committee award the Nobel prize to Mr. Obama then it is obvious that this has been given to him in advance, and like debit, for the work he still has to do. The committee says, “Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play,”. I would ask, really? And more importantly, could he really do such things in this short time(how many days had he served before nominations and what has changed that much drastically even after that?) It is too early to award a prize for the actions still to be taken and really has lowered the value of Nobel Prize. It is difficult to understand, not to say of digesting the news.
It is premature one, because he has yet to prove his mantle for world peace and prosperity.
The debate whether Mr. Obama deserved this award or not will continue for a long time. What is important is that whether he lives upto his reputation and performs well during his Presidency and thereafter .That will eventually justify his award.
Definitely Obama has got the attention and he deserves the best for shifting the world's view of Americans. Mr. Obama has a long way to go in accomplishing many of the tasks - terrorism and the financial crunch in America. It is premature for the Noble committee to award the U.S. President with the Noble Peace Prize. It can only apply pressure on him to give his ideas a concrete shape.
The Nobel Peace Prize would draw the attention of everyone to Mr. Obama and his efforts in improving international diplomacy. No doubt it has been bestowed for his efforts and visions like nuclear nonproliferation treaty, time will tell how justified was the committee to award him. We hope Mr.Obama continues on his efforts to a better world and so far he had a commendable journey which raises expectations from him.
The committee has said that they have awarded him to support what he had done so far. But some skeptics may say that he doesn't deserve this award so early in his presidency. What remains to be seen is how he proves to the skeptics that he truly deserves this award.
Congratulations to Obama!!
Obama still has a very long way to go and will have to walk the talk.
In my opinion this is a very very hasty decision from the part of Nobel Peace Prize Committee.
Though Mr. Obama has given people hope for a better future, it is premature and too early that he is given the Nobel Peace Prize.
U.S. President Barack Obama is fourth U.S. President to pick up the Nobel Peace Prize for his "extraordinary" efforts to strengthen international diplomacy, hardly less than a year after coming to power.
Congratulation to Mr. Obama
Nobel Prize's value or prestige has become suspect ever since it was awarded to Henry Kissinger (yes, Nobel peace prize!) and Jack Kilby, an employee of Texas Instruments. Kissinger's role in Vietnam and Cambodia is 'suspect' to put it mildly and Kilby is not a researcher in 'basic or fundamental science' as like say, Dr. Ramakrishnan.
Sir,
By any standards, it is little too early to have awarded the 2009 Nobel prize for Peace to U.S. President Obama.
Even, as per the observations of the Nobel committee,
"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future"
At this point of time, he has only drawn the attention of the people globally as a promising person. It is hard to believe that one could be awarded the Nobel peace, only for such "expectations" and not for the actions.
He captured the attention of the people because people were looking for a change in leadership (for US) after George Bush. It was not only his high-profile campaign style but also the fact that he pipped Hillary Clintone in the Democratic primaries and was seen to be the first African- American to adorn the position.
After all, our own Gandhi was not awarded the prize, though the committee claims now that he was nominated for 5 times and that they regret in not having awarded him.
Among the many dramatic changes that Obama has brought to U.S. policy (closing Guantanamo Bay, clearly banning torture, outreach to the Muslim world etc.) one of the most impressive is the U-turn on relations with Iran. Anyone who observes U.S. domestic politics will appreciate how difficult it is for a Democratic President to sit down for talks with such a long-time U.S. enemy (which refers to the U.S. as the "Great Satan"). I believe the fact that Obama is working so hard to talk to Iran with no pre-conditions itself deserves the Nobel Prize. I am sure the Nobel Committee considered this factor in awarding the Peace Prize, but did not mention it in the announcement because it is politically sensitive.
I pray that Obama's talent, his idealism and God's grace will come together and achieve things that later generations will celebrate. God bless him!
PS: This also reminds me of Obama's often-repeated admiration for Gandhiji. He has Gandhiji's picture in his room, and he recently said that Mahatma Gandhi was the one historical figure he would choose to have dinner with.
In another angle,this prize will make the U.S. president pursue NPT and CTBT with renewed vigour which will not be a welcome news for us Indians. This will even make him little flexible on this issue since he will be keenly watched for his actions in Nuclear proliferation curbing activity. Unless the big five give up their nuclear arsenal,Indians do not have much choice except to retain the weapons(China one among big five) vis-a-vis Pakistan keeping Indian arsenal in mind. I believe there will a lot of drama unveiling in the coming years for India. Let's wait for the interesting Indo-US Tango.
Right time for the right person. The world is filled with so much conflict, President Obama is a healer. As Gandhi once's said "You talk to your enemy to make peace, not your friends". President Obama has the right receipe to bring Peace and get rid of nuclear weapons and restore America's Pride as #1 peace-loving nation in the world. India will be a better place to live in a world without nuclear weapon and religious hate-mongers
President Obama has made a quantum shift in the way America sees the world. While he wants his country to continue leading the world, he recognises the responsibilities that define such a leadership role. He realizes that America has to strive for world peace, promote prosperity of other nations through trade and co-operation, work for establishing a world free of nuclear weapons and excessive carbon emmission. He is gearing up his country to do everything necessary to achieve these objectives. The Nobel Peace prize would provide a powerful tailwind to help accelerate his efforts.
It came a surprise to me. Mr.Obama's efforts are commendable, but he has a long way to go, if the roster of previous peace prize winners, is any measure to go by. What I feel is that conferring the Noble peace prize would rather put pressure upon him to convert his promises into concrete acts.
Sir,
Its a great honor to people who are working towards nuclear non proliferation from this planet. Once again it is a hope that during Obama's Presidency world will see some major decisions regarding nuclear free world.
Congratulation Mr. Obama
This might well be one of the most important choice the nobel committee has taken this year or even in the last decade or so. He deserves praise for the role he has taken in pullingout the troups from iraque or the act of "unclenching the fist" towards the middle east. But forget not the quagmire in Afghanistan......
Sir -
Mr. Obama's winning the Nobel Peace Prize comes as welcome news for a world devastated by racial and religious tensions. As a US citizen, I cannot help but directly observe that much of the opposition to Mr. Obama's foreign and domestic policies in this country largely stem from the very same racial biases that have plagued America for centuries. As the South Asian and other ethnic populations become increasingly larger and more well-settled in the USA, we have come to look upon President Obama as a catalyst for change. His winning the Peace Prize is a big step to proving that such a change is being recognized by the world community.
Please Email the Editor