Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Criticism 09/10/09 5:58 PM

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09 October 2009 Today from VOA:Arab Reaction Overwhelmingly Positive to Obama Nobel Prize Japan, South Korea Say No Aid for North Without Action on Nuclear Issue

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News Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Bowman report Download (MP3) U.S.A. Criticism Africa By Michael Bowman Bowman report Washington Listen (MP3) Americas 09 October 2009 E-mail This Article Asia Global reaction to U.S. President Europe Print Version Barack Obama being awarded the Middle East 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ranges Related Stories from hearty congratulations to Obama 'Humbled' by expressions of disbelief and Winning Nobel Peace Features derision. Prize Health & Science President Obama's The Norwegian Nobel Committee Domestic Critics Not Econ & Business recognized the president for his Impressed With Nobel Entertainment work to strengthen international Prize Worldwide Surprise American Life diplomacy, citing in particular efforts to rid the world of nuclear Greets Obama Peace Prize Announcement News Analysis weapons. The peace prize appears Obama's Peace Prize: Special Reports to have caught everyone, Just Reward Or including Mr. Obama himself, by Pronunciation President Barack Obama speaks Premature Recognition? Guide surprise. at the White House about Some in Mideast winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Unimpressed by White House Press Secretary 09 Oct 2009 Obama's Actions Interactive Robert Gibbs said he called to wake President Obama early My VOA Thursday with the unexpected news. "I think it is safe to say he Top Story Community was surprised," he said. Obama Peace Prize YouTube Award Elicits Praise, Less than a year after taking office, Mr. Obama is joining an Criticism Facebook elite group of recognized peacemakers that includes Nelson Twitter Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Martin Luther King, Jr. More Stories Some in Mideast Speaking at the White House, Mr. Obama's tone was one of Unimpressed by Shows humility. "To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the Obama's Actions company of so many of the transformative figures who have Obama 'Humbled' by Shows by Name Winning Nobel Peace been honored by this prize -- men and women who have In Focus Prize inspired me, and inspired the entire world through their Obama's Peace Prize: Music Mix courageous pursuit of peace," Mr. Obama said. Just Reward Or Editorials Premature Recognition? Global reaction was swift and varied. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the peace prize as "great news". Worldwide Surprise Web Services "President Obama embodies the new spirit of dialogue and Greets Obama Peace Prize Announcement http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-09-voa58.cfm Page 1 of 3 VOA News - Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Criticism 09/10/09 5:58 PM Web Services engagement on the world's biggest problems: climate change, Prize Announcement Podcasts nuclear disarmament and a wide range of peace and security African Leaders challenges," he said. Congratulate President RSS News Obama on Peace Prize Feeds Arab Reaction Several Nobel laureates were in agreement, including South Overwhelmingly Mobile Africa's Desmond Tutu. "It is an award that anticipates an even Positive to Obama greater contribution towards making our world a safer place for Nobel Prize Webcasts all," Tutu said. To Many Palestinians, Subscribe E- Obama Nobel Peace mail Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter described the Obama Prize Unjustified Newsletter selection as "a bold statement of international support for his Afghanistan, Pakistan vision and commitment to peace and harmony in international Congratulate Obama on relations". Nobel Peace Prize US Public Split as Across the United States, many Americans expressed surprise. Obama Weighs Afghan Strategy Obama Faces "I am flabbergasted and amazed, actually," one person said. Momentous Decision on Another added: "I was a little shocked because I thought the Afghanistan timing was interesting in that he has not been in office for very Muted, Mixed Reaction long." A third person had this reaction: "As much as I like in Asia to Obama Nobel Barack Obama, I just do not know that he has done enough to Peace Prize warrant such an honor." Bomb Blasts NW Pakistan Market, Kills At American College in Cairo, political scientist Saiid Sadek 50 found Mr. Obama's selection odd and undeserved. "There is no US Mideast Envoy peace in Iraq, nor in Afghanistan. The Arab-Israeli conflict is Pushes for More Talks still at a standstill. As usual, nothing happened. And Burmese Democracy Leader Meets Western Guantanamo Bay jail is still open. So what for is he getting that Diplomats prize?," he said. Southeast Asian Rights Groups Call for Better President Obama's domestic political rivals echoed the criticism. Dialogue With ASEAN Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said, in Leaders his words, "It is unfortunate that the president's star power has Kenyans Express Joy, outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements Urgency, at President working towards peace and human rights." Obama's Nobel Peace Award For his part, the president attempted to share the honor with Youth Organizations in the nation as a whole. "Let me be clear: I do not view it as a Guinea Set to Launch Hunger Strike recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an Japan, South Korea affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held Say No Aid for North by people in all nations," Mr. Obama said,. Without Action on Nuclear Issue The chairman of the Nobel committee, Thorbjoern Jagland UN Climate Talks End denied the honor is premature. He said the committee has on with Little Progress many occasions tried to enhance what many personalities are NASA Crafts Smash into trying to do. Moon in Search for Water If the peace prize was awarded to cheer ongoing efforts, some are suggesting it will increase pressure on President Obama to deliver concrete results on the world stage. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says Mr. Obama will have to prove himself even more from now on.

Two other sitting U.S. presidents have become Nobel laureates: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-09-voa58.cfm Page 2 of 3 VOA News - Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Criticism 09/10/09 5:58 PM

Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

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