Nobel prize win 'humbles' Obama
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Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Jagland, announces that U.S. ...Source: Reuters -
Jagland, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, holds a ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama turns to leave after commenting on winning the ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama comments on winning 2009 Nobel Peace Prize while ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama leaves Oval Office to comment on winning 2009 ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama walks back to Oval Office after commenting on ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama talks on phone in Oval Office before commenting ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama works at his desk in Oval Office before ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama walks to podium to comment on winning 2009 Nobel ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama walks from his podium after commenting on winning ...Source: Reuters -
U.S. President Obama walks from the podium after delivering remarks on ...Source: Reuters -
Permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy announces that Herta Muller ...Source: Reuters -
Peter Englund, permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, announces ...Source: Reuters
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Page last updated at 17:38 GMT, Friday, 9 October 2009 18:38 UK
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by Natalie de Vallieres, reporting from Oslo, Norway, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla
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Obama was woken very early by staff bringing news of the award
US President Barack Obama has said he was "surprised and deeply humbled" to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, less than 10 months into his presidency.
Speaking at the White House hours after the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee named him as a surprise winner, he said the award should be a "call to action".
The world faced challenges that "cannot be met by one person or by one nation alone," Mr Obama said.
The committee said he won for efforts to boost diplomacy and co-operation.
"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," the Norwegian committee said in a statement.
"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."
Long-term goals
Standing in the Rose Garden to make his first public statement since being woken early by aides bringing news of the award, Mr Obama stressed that his win was just the beginning of his work.
MARDELL'S AMERICA
There was already a huge weight of responsibility on Obama's shoulders, and this medal hung round his neck has just made it a little heavier
Mark Mardell
BBC North America editor
Read Mark's thoughts in full
He said he did not feel he deserved to be in the company of some of the "transformative figures" who had previously received the award.
Some of his aims, particularly the goal of universal nuclear disarmament, would be difficult to achieve even within his lifetime, let alone his presidency, Mr Obama said.
And he sought to deflect some of the global surprise at his win, describing the award as "affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations".
"I know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honour specific achievements," he said.
"It's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st Century."
Public bemused
There were a record 205 nominations for this year's peace prize. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Chinese dissident Hu Jia had been among the favourites.
ANALYSIS
Paul Reynolds
BBC News, London
The award is certainly unexpected and might be regarded as more of an encouragement for intentions than a reward for achievements.
After all, the president has been in office for a little over eight months and he might hope to serve eight years. His ambition for a world free of nuclear weapons is one that is easier to declare than to achieve and a climate control agreement has yet to be reached.
Indeed, the citation indicates that it is President Obama's world view that attracted the Nobel committee - that diplomacy should be founded "on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population".
Obama rewarded for world view
Instead the committee chose Mr Obama, who was inaugurated less than two weeks before the 1 February nomination deadline.
His win surprised most observers, eliciting gasps from those assembled in the room when his name was read out.
And while there was support for the decision, notably from world leaders, many others expressed their scepticism.
In the US the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, asked a simple question: "What has President Obama actually accomplished?"
Attributing Mr Obama's win to his "star power", Mr Steele said it was "unfortunate" he "outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights".
A large majority of remarks from BBC viewers, listeners and website users also expressed surprise.
Senior Democratic figures rebuffed Mr Steele's remarks, with former Vice-President Al Gore, a joint recipient of the award in 2007, calling Mr Obama's win "extremely well deserved".
"I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history," Mr Gore said.
But spokesmen from anti-US Islamist groups such as the Taliban and Hamas focussed on the present, saying they had seen no evidence yet of improvements in security for people in their regions and as such opposed the award.
'New climate'
Since taking office in January, President Obama has pursued an ambitious international agenda including a push for peace in the Middle East and negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.
Asked why the prize had been awarded to Mr Obama less than a year after he took office, Nobel Committee head Thorbjoern Jagland said: "It was because we would like to support what he is trying to achieve".
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Those qualified to nominate candidates include members of national governments, international judiciary, academics and previous prize winners
Five Norwegians are chosen by Norway's parliament to sit on the Nobel Committee
The committee compiles a shortlist of between five and 20 candidates
The shortlist is considered by the Nobel Institute's permanent advisers, mainly Norwegian academics
The Nobel Committee chooses the winner
Details of the nominations and selection process are kept secret for 50 years
World reacts to Obama peace prize
Profile: Barack Obama
He specifically mentioned Mr Obama's work to strengthen international institutions and work towards a world free of nuclear arms. The statement from the Nobel Committee said Mr Obama had "created a new climate in international politics".
However, critics say he has failed to make breakthroughs. Domestically, Mr Obama has been working to tackle an economic crisis and win support for healthcare reform.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a former winner, said the prize was a way of encouraging the US leader early in his presidency.
Mr Obama is the first US president to win the prize since former US President Jimmy Carter in 2002. Theodore Roosevelt won the prize in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won it in 1919.
The prize was invented by the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite Alfred Nobel, and was first awarded in 1901.
As Sweden was at the time united with Norway, Nobel designated the parliament in Norway to elect the peace prize committee. Swedish academies are responsible for other prizes.
The prize-giving ceremony for the peace award is due to take place on 10 December in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Mr Obama has indicated he will attend.
Bookmark with: Posted by BiodunIginla at 8:26 PM Labels: natalie de vallieres nobel peace prize, obama 0 comments:
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Page last updated at 17:38 GMT, Friday, 9 October 2009 18:38 UK
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
by Natalie de Vallieres, reporting from Oslo, Norway, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla
Advertisement
Obama was woken very early by staff bringing news of the award
US President Barack Obama has said he was "surprised and deeply humbled" to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, less than 10 months into his presidency.
Speaking at the White House hours after the Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee named him as a surprise winner, he said the award should be a "call to action".
The world faced challenges that "cannot be met by one person or by one nation alone," Mr Obama said.
The committee said he won for efforts to boost diplomacy and co-operation.
"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," the Norwegian committee said in a statement.
"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."
Long-term goals
Standing in the Rose Garden to make his first public statement since being woken early by aides bringing news of the award, Mr Obama stressed that his win was just the beginning of his work.
MARDELL'S AMERICA
There was already a huge weight of responsibility on Obama's shoulders, and this medal hung round his neck has just made it a little heavier
Mark Mardell
BBC North America editor
Read Mark's thoughts in full
He said he did not feel he deserved to be in the company of some of the "transformative figures" who had previously received the award.
Some of his aims, particularly the goal of universal nuclear disarmament, would be difficult to achieve even within his lifetime, let alone his presidency, Mr Obama said.
And he sought to deflect some of the global surprise at his win, describing the award as "affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations".
"I know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honour specific achievements," he said.
"It's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st Century."
Public bemused
There were a record 205 nominations for this year's peace prize. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Chinese dissident Hu Jia had been among the favourites.
ANALYSIS
Paul Reynolds
BBC News, London
The award is certainly unexpected and might be regarded as more of an encouragement for intentions than a reward for achievements.
After all, the president has been in office for a little over eight months and he might hope to serve eight years. His ambition for a world free of nuclear weapons is one that is easier to declare than to achieve and a climate control agreement has yet to be reached.
Indeed, the citation indicates that it is President Obama's world view that attracted the Nobel committee - that diplomacy should be founded "on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population".
Obama rewarded for world view
Instead the committee chose Mr Obama, who was inaugurated less than two weeks before the 1 February nomination deadline.
His win surprised most observers, eliciting gasps from those assembled in the room when his name was read out.
And while there was support for the decision, notably from world leaders, many others expressed their scepticism.
In the US the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, asked a simple question: "What has President Obama actually accomplished?"
Attributing Mr Obama's win to his "star power", Mr Steele said it was "unfortunate" he "outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights".
A large majority of remarks from BBC viewers, listeners and website users also expressed surprise.
Senior Democratic figures rebuffed Mr Steele's remarks, with former Vice-President Al Gore, a joint recipient of the award in 2007, calling Mr Obama's win "extremely well deserved".
"I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history," Mr Gore said.
But spokesmen from anti-US Islamist groups such as the Taliban and Hamas focussed on the present, saying they had seen no evidence yet of improvements in security for people in their regions and as such opposed the award.
'New climate'
Since taking office in January, President Obama has pursued an ambitious international agenda including a push for peace in the Middle East and negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.
Asked why the prize had been awarded to Mr Obama less than a year after he took office, Nobel Committee head Thorbjoern Jagland said: "It was because we would like to support what he is trying to achieve".
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Those qualified to nominate candidates include members of national governments, international judiciary, academics and previous prize winners
Five Norwegians are chosen by Norway's parliament to sit on the Nobel Committee
The committee compiles a shortlist of between five and 20 candidates
The shortlist is considered by the Nobel Institute's permanent advisers, mainly Norwegian academics
The Nobel Committee chooses the winner
Details of the nominations and selection process are kept secret for 50 years
World reacts to Obama peace prize
Profile: Barack Obama
He specifically mentioned Mr Obama's work to strengthen international institutions and work towards a world free of nuclear arms. The statement from the Nobel Committee said Mr Obama had "created a new climate in international politics".
However, critics say he has failed to make breakthroughs. Domestically, Mr Obama has been working to tackle an economic crisis and win support for healthcare reform.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a former winner, said the prize was a way of encouraging the US leader early in his presidency.
Mr Obama is the first US president to win the prize since former US President Jimmy Carter in 2002. Theodore Roosevelt won the prize in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won it in 1919.
The prize was invented by the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite Alfred Nobel, and was first awarded in 1901.
As Sweden was at the time united with Norway, Nobel designated the parliament in Norway to elect the peace prize committee. Swedish academies are responsible for other prizes.
The prize-giving ceremony for the peace award is due to take place on 10 December in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Mr Obama has indicated he will attend.
Bookmark with: Posted by BiodunIginla at 8:26 PM Labels: natalie de vallieres nobel peace prize, obama 0 comments:
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