In spite of some heavy criticism against the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize having been awarded to US President Barack Obama, there has also been some good cheer in support of what the US president tries to do for world peace.
According to former US President Jimmy Carter, himself a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2002 or two decades after finishing his presidential term, Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize is a “bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment.” He sees Obama’s award as support for his ‘work toward peace and harmony in international relations.’ He adds that the award represents the hope that the Obama administration offers the US as well as all the people around the world.
Syria believes that Obama is truly working hard for peace, such as what is being experienced in the country as it witnesses ‘important steps to correct the relationship with the United States.’
1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa says that Obama’s award ‘shows great things are expected from him in the coming years.’ “It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama’s message of hope,” he says. He adds that the prize is a ‘wonderful recognition of Obama’s effort to reach out to the Arab world after years of hostility.’
Past Nobel winner Mohamed ElBaradei who is the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna said ‘Obama has already provided outstanding leadership in the effort to prevent nuclear proliferation.’ According to ElBaradei, “In less than a year in office, he has transformed the way we look at ourselves and the world we live in and rekindled hope for a world at peace with itself. He has shown an unshakable commitment to diplomacy, mutual respect and dialogue as the best means of resolving conflicts. He has reached out across divides and made clear that he sees the world as one human family, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.”
