Photo credit: AP/Rob Carr
In a surprising development, The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced today that the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is being awarded to President Obama because of “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
In a statement released, the Committee noted that, “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.”
See Transcript of Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland’s Announcement Here
It goes on to state “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”‘
In making their selection, the Committee attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
The panel says “Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics.” One in which, it says “Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.”
Although the U.S. is embroiled in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, whose outcomes are very uncertain, the Committee said that it did not take this into consideration in selecting President Obama. Rather, he was selected for what he has already done to forge multilateral diplomacy and a peaceful world, particularly a nuclear free one.
See Video of President Obama’s Reaction To Winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize On Home Page
