US president Barack Hussein Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2009, just nine months into his first term in office.
As US troops shift gear from action in war-ravaged Iraq to an expected surge in war-torn Afghanistan, questions are being raised whether the Norwegian Nobel Committee has rushed in its praise for Obama’s foreign policy that is yet to be termed a success.
While the committee pays tribute to the first black US president for ‘his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,’ the world is yet to see any major conflicts such as the Middle-East crisis coming even close to a resolution.
Some may agree with the committee when it says that ‘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,’ but the question being asked is whether the president will live up to the expectations? Do you think Obama now as a Nobel Peace Prize winner will fare any better for the people of Pakistan and the rest of the world?
The views expressed in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I think the Nobel peace prize has been debased. The nominations for the Peace prize were in early February which was three or four weeks after he took on his role as president. What has he done for world peace that can be regarded as concrete? I am not joining hands in this celebration!
I dont doubt his good intentions. His famous quote”we are willing to extend our hand if you unclench your fist”. I do believe however that it is too early for him to get this kind of a prestigious award. but then again he grabbed the presidency without much achievements too
You must be joking! That is what came to my mind as soon as i found out about President Obama winning Nobel peace prize. Ok may be have made history being the first black president of the states, but since he is in power i can’t think of any major development in today’s war torn world. I hope the people who have awarded this prize have seen in the future and he actually will turn out to be the world savior in the future
Its an irony that a president who is continuing the two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has been given a Nobel Peace prize. Obama has uptil now proven himself to be big on words about peace but he is certainly lacking in taking decisive action.
Perhaps this is an attempt by the prize committe to be more proactive and influence Obama to act in the direction of peace. After winning the Nobel peace prize, it will be a little more difficult for obama to start new wars against Iran etc. or to make escalatory actions in the current wars.
Lets hope that the strategy of the prize committee works!!!
He’s being awarded for things he said he would do. What about the people who were nominated for things they HAVE done?
I’d also like to point out that the deadline for nominations was February 1, meaning President Obama was nominated after being in office for just 11 days.
Hmmm….
My comments are in my mail to President Obama as below.
Mr. Barak Hussain Obama,
President of U S A.
Greetings.
Please accept heartfelt felicitations on winning the Nobel Peace prize 2009.
Many congratulations to you and your family. In fact, the entire peace loving population of the globe is not only happy and joyously celebrating your award, but is also looking towards you for honoring your promise for bringing change. And remember, your promised change will only come through sincere and relentless efforts of you and your team of not only White House, but of the entire members of the United Nations.
We the citizens of the most suffered nation on the earth, will always be praying and positively contributing for the success of your genuine efforts for peace. However, in my humble opinion, peace will only prevail over terrorism, if, powerful nations of the world like USA, will put their weight behind those weak people who are being subjected to extreme cruelty (for example using American supplied air force planes to kill unarmed Palestinians and killings of millions of Kashmiris) for demanding right to live honorably, through vote of self determination. Secondly, the fleecing of the poor by the World Inc. is another reason of discord, prevailing throughout the world. If economic justice is not dispensed to the exploited down trodden teeming millions of the world, no one will reap the benefits and dividends of the peace, you are trying so hard to achieve.
Wishing you and your team best of luck in your endeavors for world peace.
Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad