World Reaction to a Nobel Surprise

[babylonsister]

World Reaction to a Nobel Surprise
By Sharon Otterman


After less than nine months in office, President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, a decision so astonishing that the audience in the Norwegian capital of Oslo gasped.

Reaction around the world was immediate, with many, including at least one former recipient of the award, wondering whether the prize could be premature. Other laureates and leaders hailed the decision. Those distrustful of America’s role in the world, however, said that the prize was akin to honoring the fox for watching over the henhouse. Here is a sampling of early reaction from the world over:

LECH WALESA

“Who, Obama? So fast? Too fast — he hasn’t had the time to do anything yet,” Lech Walesa told reporters in Warsaw, according to Agence France-Presse. Mr. Walesa, 65, received the prize in 1983 for his efforts to promote workers’ rights in Poland while it was under Communist rule.

“For the time being Obama’s just making proposals. But sometimes the Nobel committee awards the prize to encourage responsible action,” he said. “Let’s give Obama a chance.”

MOHAMED ELBARADEI

The director-general of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, who received the prize in 2005, said in a statement that he was “absolutely delighted.”

“I cannot think of anyone today more deserving of this honor,” he said. “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.”

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

Mr. Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader who was awarded the prize in 1990, was quoted by the news agency Itar-Tass as saying, “In these hard times people who are capable of taking responsibility, who have a vision, commitment and political will should be supported.”

SHIMON PERES

“Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact,” President Shimon Peres of Israel said in a congratulatory letter to Mr. Obama. “You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.”

Mr. Peres, who won the peace prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, added: “Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.”

DESMOND TUTU

Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who won the prize in 1984 for his efforts toward ending apartheid, said the award shows great things are expected from Mr. Obama.

“It’s an award coming near the beginning of the first term of office of a relatively young president that anticipates an even greater contribution towards making our world a safer place for all,” Archbishop Tutu said. “It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama’s message of hope.”

more...

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world-reaction-to-a-nobel-surprise/

[quiet.american]

1. The president of Israel perfectly sums up exactly why I feel Pres. Obama won.

SHIMON PERES

“Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact,” President Shimon Peres of Israel said in a congratulatory letter to Mr. Obama. “You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.”

Mr. Peres, who won the peace prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, added: “Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.”

[csziggy]

5. Yes - remember how happy the entire world was Nov. 5, 2008?

They thought the US had finally regained their senses and become more rational about who we elected for a leader.

Of course, that was before the birthers and teabaggers showed that there is still a significant percentage of Americans that are flat out batshit insane.

President Obama's speech hit just the right note, I think. He acknowledged that it was too soon, and gave recognition to others who were more worthy of receiving the award and listing the challenges ahead for him and for the world.

[quiet.american]

6. I have not forgotten! For those who say what has Obama done to deserve it, what short memories! nt

[HamdenRice]

9. Shimon Peres is Israel's most underrated politician

I remember reading one of his books long before Oslo and how he looked forward not just to an end of war or a cold peace, but a warm peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors and the Pastinians.

If the electorate had followed his lead the entire region would be different today.

[calimary]

10. No kidding! Beyond eloquent and seems spot-on as an assessment.

"Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact."

"You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determinatin, and a feeling that there is a Lord in heaven and believers on earth."

"You gave us a license ot dream and act in a noble direction."

Man! Poetry for a troubled time. Badly needed. Just like Obama is.

[tabatha]

2. The Nobel Prize committee has done a wonderful thing.

It may be criticized but it also blunts a lot of the crap that goes on about Obama.
The right-wing nutjobs are going to look like jealous fools now.

[Tippy]

4. The right -wing nuts ..ARE jealous FOOLS....

That is why they are so dangerously ....:crazy:

[ecstatic]

3. "sometimes the Nobel committee awards the prize to encourage responsible action"

As Pres.Obama already noted, his award can be categorized as a call to action. He knows his history.

[mkultra]

7. wow, even MIKHAIL GORBACHEV has a better grip on reality than some leftbeckians

[eleny]

8. "...change the mood of the entire world in such a short while..."

That's what struck me about Obama throughout the campaign and during the inauguration time.