‘For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,’ US President Barack Obama is ‘the surprise winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.’ The Nobel committee in Norway awards ‘Obama’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and his emphasis on the role of the United Nations.’
According to the Nobel committee, “He has created a new international climate.” Wanting to enhance Mr. Obama’s diplomatic efforts, the committee members said, “We are awarding Obama for what he has done. Many other people and leaders and nations have to respond in a positive way” to President Obama’s diplomacy.
The committee especially noted that “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.” The group admired ‘Obama’s vision of a world without nuclear weapons.’
Obama’s bagging the prize came as a surprise because his name ‘had not figured in speculation about the likely winner until minutes before the prize was announced.’
The latest roster of possible Nobel Peace Prize winners included human rights activists in China and Afghanistan, as well as political figures in Africa. Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter were three other US presidents that likewise won the Nobel Peace Prize.
