United States President Barack Obama has been awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced today that Obama had been honoured with the prize for his initiatives to reduce the world’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and co-operation rather than Unilateralism.
The first African American to hold the country’s highest office, Obama has called for disarmament and worked to restart the stalled Middle East peace process since taking office in January.
His name did not come up among the front runners for the prize and Nobel observers were shocked by the unexpected choice that has come so early in the Obama presidency.
The prize worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.4 million) will be handed over in Oslo on December 10.
ZANIS/Reuters/LT
You would wish he was a Zambian President. All honors our chaps are from mick mouse orgs. like the “doctrate” from Malawi for Chiluba
Smack on the dot Deja Vu. Maybe we should hire him as CEO of Zed since we have clowns who want to impose themselve by crook or otherwise.
#1 Deja Vu LOL LOL I forgot that Chiluba’s doctorate came from Malawi.
Anyway. Congratulations Obama. You have done us proud.
RB and Obama got elected at same time. Just thing about it is embarrassing.
#3 correction. I meant just thinking about the fact that Obama and RB came into presidency at the same time is embarrassing. Look at what the 2 presidents spend time on – Obama mending the US economy and leading the world, while RB …………………………………………………………………..
So shameful.
Congratulations Obama…but even I will ask this; is he really deserving of this award? Hmmm….
#5 16 Crates. Read bbc.co.uk’s version:
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.
The laureate – chosen by a five-member committee – wins a gold medal, a diploma and 10m Swedish kronor ($1.4m). “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.”
The Obama Deception!!
#6 contd.
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”.
“It is a clear signal that we want to advocate the same as he has done,” he said.
He specifically mentioned Mr Obama’s work to strengthen international institutions and work towards a world free of nuclear arms.
‘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.
Just been on CNN blog commenting on “do you think he deserves to win”. Personally i think he deserves it. Rouge states like Iran are now at the table of international diplomacy. America is however divided as most people feel it is too early to recognise his achievments. Others are just racist and cannot stand a black man winning anything. Obama is living proof that anything is possible. All those who think black people from Africa come here to clean toilets, if Obama’s father had not gone to U.S, history would be different.
P.s In fairness, i think RB deserves a prize as well……………………………………………for being the first president to be pissed on by a monkey! R “kanitundila” B.
#8 contd.
“It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama’s message of hope,” said Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a former winner.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the award confirmed “America’s return to the hearts of the people of the world”.
The statement from the Nobel Committee said Mr Obama had “created a new climate in international politics”.
“Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play,” it said.
The committee added that the US was now playing a more constructive role in meeting “the great climatic challenges” facing the world, and that democracy and human rights would be strengthened.
yes he can!he deserves the award….definatly he will achieve the qualifications in future!
Does Obama deserve it?
To answer, just look at RB, elected at same time. Look at his contribution to Zambia and the rest of the world. I would rather have Obama for Zambia’s presidency. Anyone who thinks Obama has done nothing should look at our very own RB. This is the definition of NOTHING.
Is Obama the ONE?
In a stunning decision designed to encourage his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.
Nobel observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency.
Is HE the ONE?
RB is right now in Kasama, bribing voters and chiefs with tax payers money. Our own PAYE is being wasted. The minister have gone with him. He just came back from a world tour, next 3 days will be in Kasama, after that fly out again. Can a country get a worse deal than this.
And the MMD want him to stand at 2011, for more of the same.
May be Teta should come and get his boss.
#11 contd
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
Nobel has lost direction. I thought they awarded the Prize for actually having done something in a particular category not for being in the process. In my opinion Tshivingirai should have gotten it, but Obama is the darling of the world right now, he can win anything!
OBAMA; AKAMUNTU KA, HE HAS REALLY TAKEN THE WORLD BY A STORM. THE YOUNG MAN IS JUST GIFTED. I WISH HIM GOOD HEALTH AND HOPE NOTHING SINISTER HAPPENS TO HIS LIFE. THE BLESSINGS FOR HIM IS THAT HE IS NOT JUST INTELLIGENT BUT FULL OF WISDOM AS WELL; I WISH RUPIYA BANDA CAN FIND SOLACE IN READING THE OBAMA INSPIRATIONS ESPECIALLY THE AUDACITY OF HOPE AND DREAMS FROM MY FATHER..
This is an inducement to trap him in the none proliferation act of a nuclear free world America and her consecutive Presidents defy with.It has nothing to do with bother Obama’s achievement.Nobel peace prize is a preserve of achievers-it is meant for empirical evidence of a winner’s results other than mere pronouncement.Lets be honest what has Obama achieved on his campaign vibe?This is flattery no different from our African leaders given Doctorates to flatter them into self destruction overdrive.There is Afghanistan 1 year exist pledge trashed for a life time stay.There has been many departures from stamp speech on fundamental issues.have they acted on any vibe if they have which ones?
#16# contd
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”.
He won becacause of his Islamic name (Barak Hussein Obama) and also his real name (Barry Santoro).
UK- Zed Observer, thanks for the article. I still feel that Tshivingirai is more deserving of the prize than Obama in my opinion. Besides, reading this here….”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”.
“It is a clear signal that we want to advocate the same as he has done,” he said. ” Why award him for something he is trying to achieve? I just think, they should’ve given more thought or atleast wait till he actually finished his term. it’s like giving one a pass grade before the actual test. Can you imagine that? Passing before you actually ” pass”. I guess the decision is final. Anyway, again congrats Obama.
I think he does not deserve the award at least not yet. He still has a long way to go. I think for me Morgan Tsvangirai would have been a more credible winner than Obama.
Whether you speculate or not Obama has got it and his name will be in the history since 1875 winners.
CAN SOME BODY TELL ME; CAN THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE BE STRIPED IF ONE FAILS TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS??????????????????LIKE IN THE CASE OF HONOURALLY DEGRESS??????????????????
# 25, the answer is NO. And that’s why I kind of don’t really agree that he should’ve been awarded in the first place. I like Obama and he definitely has the potential to be a “world leader” in his own right, however, the chap is work in-progress. And that’s real talk!
#26 16 Crates
“World leader”?What are you talking about.Is Obama the One?
# 27 Ba Chapwa, look up the definition of a “world leader”. This chap hasn’t even finished a year in office…am just saying. Somebody otehr than him (Obama) is in my opinion more deserving of the prize. For the record, NO, Obama is not “the one”
16, This award is not for “world leaders” or “Politicians”. Unless you think mother Theresa was a world leader, or Desmond Tutu, or Martin Luther king Junior. Obama HAS inspired, NOT WILL inspire. It has happened. Whether that inspiration translates into peace in the middle east, is another thing. Everyone has a role to play. Same arguement of experience was used against Obama during the presidential race – having only served only one term in the congress – he still kicked A.S.S. Give the man a break. I think he deserves a prize just for being the first black president of the US.
Sorry 16, comment 29 is meant for #28 Crates
#28 16 Crates
I think he won the Nobel Peace Prize for bombing the moon.
Today, NASA bombed–or rather, sent a probe crashing into–one pole of the moon to see whether ice lies beneath the surface of craters.
My assertion of him (Obama) being a “world leader” was a side note and should not be taken out of context. Of course, a nobel prize is not to be politicized by any means. Going by what you’ve posted, I will say this. Yes, a lot of renowed people have indeed “inspired” just like Obama himself. Take for example; my pick Morgan Tsvangirai. He has not only done so much fro his country but he has brought awareness of serious issues in Zimbabwe to the forefront and openly challenged Mugabe. In doing all of this, he has risked his life as well. He is also a recipeint of the SOLIDAR’s Silver Rose Awards which may not be as prestigious as the Nobel prize but it is nonetheless a meaningful recognition. The nobel prize should not just be awarded on the basis of “inspiration” but tangible…
Congratulations Mr. President! You deserve it.
…. #32 continued…tangible works. Funny you mentioned mother Theresa and am certain you’re not trying to compare her to obama are you? The Nobel Peace Prize award to Barack Obama seems so goofy — even if you’re a fan, you have to admit that he hasn’t really done much yet as a peacemaker, period! Honestly in my opinion again, it is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. This my friend is a fact. Obama, is being rewarded for a relatively thin list of accomplishments. You and I both know this to be true!
Congrats Obama.Am just thinking of suing someone who called me Rupiah Banda coz i feel humiliated.
32. You say the “Nobel peace prize should not be awarded on the basis of inspiration but tangible…..” I think the Nobel committee would disagree with you because they awarded him on the basis of his inspiration of other people. Tvangirai probably deserves an award as well, not arguing there, but perhaps his profile is not (unfairly) as high, and the impact not as wide as Obama.
Obama has done nothing so far, to the contrary, he is continuing what Bush was doing killing in iraq, afghanistan and now pakistan.Don’t forget he just bombed the moon today.
36 Continued. The decision of the committe was unanimous and arrived at with ease. Far be it for us to argue with their criteria. When we decide to give awards (green eagle or something) to Fidel Castro, thats our prerogative. If you are judging Obama on the basis of his Achievements as President in achieving Peace etc, then you are 100% correct. I personally think there is more to him than the presidency. Even if he had lost the presidency, he would still be deserving as he can channel his energy in other ways.
The givers of this prize have lost it! I wish my University would give me my degree right now,after all they know I am a grade A student.The Nobel prize is mean’t for people who have actually achieved something, like Paul Kagame for ending the genocide and bringing peace to Rwanda,Kaunda and Nyerere for freeing Southern Africans from colonial rule,Che Guevara, the Nigerian Army for bringing peace to Sierra Leone,Chissano for ending civil war and bringing peace and democracy to Mozambique.Obama has achieved nothing so far apart from being the first mixed race not black, to be president of the USA.This is what is still unbelievable to most of you hero worshipers on this blog.
# 36 As I have already stated, Obama’s star power or celebrity status if you like has been the driving force here. Granted it seems a bit hasty and premature; however, it could be viewed as a mandate from the international community (instead of relying solely upon past achievements). But I suppose if the award can also be based on hope, Obama deserves it. It does mean however that the Nobel committee isn’t above playing politics. I think this will definitely put more pressure on Obama with regards to his advances on world peace. The middle east is about to erupt my friend and I think, clearly this award will no doubt influence Obama’s future actions rather than reward past ones (which remain sketchy). Deserved or not, the majority of people don’t care, one way or another. My opinion!
Mandela a great hero and Nobel peace prize winner introduced useless laws in South Africa after winning this silly prize.Homosexuality is legal including same sex marriages,Abortion is allowed so is Prosititution,bail for murder and so on.Oboma is pro gay and abortion,check what genuine black pastors have said about him.
# 38 Simon, if Obama had lost the presidency, he would not be recieving the award, period. You know it, I know it and everybody knows it! His presidency has had a major influence, there’s no question there my friend.
42 crates, i respect your opinion. What i am saying is not fact as well, merely my opinion. Unfortunately only one person per yr gets the award. Perhaps the commitee is begining to get political and this award is meant to pre-empt Obama’s actions. In which case he will spend his presidency trying to live up to this award – the result may be less bombings from America (maybe). Remember Obama did not ask for this award, and Politically its the last thing he needs. Alot of people in the US and indeed the world, share your view, so now he has to start answering questions from reporters(1) and (2) some people will resent him for this award. In short, the timing of the award is politically inconvenient. I am off now, its been a pleasure, you are a gentleman.
41. Mulenga Newcastle – There is such a thing as tolerance. Minorities have rights too. Should women who get pregnant by rape not have the right to abort (Human right). What if pregnancy is a health risk to mother? We need to get things in context. Obama opposes a law which prohibits abortion regardless of circumstances of pregnancy. A bill has detail and lots of pages. The press will just report – Obama for abortion. Women have rights over their bodies. The jury is till out on homo s. e. x u als. Good evening my friend.
# 42 absolutely agree with you. If there’s any consolation for most of us that may not necessarily agree with the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee on this award, this is by far not the worst selection the committee has ever made. If you remember, Yassir Arafat, who STARTED a war, won it was also awarded. I think, this is when the “prize” lost its last shred of legitimacy. After that, they could give it to almost anyone short of Saddam Hussein or Chavez for standing up to the USA, ha ha ha. Nice blogging with you my friend. Have a good weekend!
The word blacked out by LT is r.a.p.e . whats wrong with LT? Chizungu! Thats why people think i.d.i.o.t is an insult. Its hard to express oneself if you want to impose restrictions. I am responsible enough not to use unpallatable language.
War Criminal Obama Deserves An Oscar, But Not A Nobel Peace Prize
In a world where war criminals like Tony Blair are rewarded and those that oppose war criminals, like the Iraqi shoe thrower Muntadhar al-Zeidi, are imprisoned and tortured, it comes as no surprise that another war criminal – Barack H. Obama – has been rewarded for his stoic service to imperial bloodletting with the Nobel Peace Prize.
The man who gallantly promised “change” from the Bush regime’s illegal wars and a return to diplomacy over belligerency in dealing with Iran, has perpetuated the illegal wars in Afghanistan and Iraq while expanding another in Pakistan and becoming belligerent towards Iran.
How in anyone’s mind can such behavior constitute a move towards peace?
Obama has done nothing to dismantle the sprawling network of well over 700 U.S. military bases all over the world.
If Obama is such a huge peacenik, then why has he sent 21,000 more troops to Afghanistan already, with tens of thousands more at least on the way?
I just saw his response on MSNBC. He says…. he does “not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century.” …he deos actually acknowledge that, perhaps the other nominees are much more deserving of this award than he is. I was expecting he would get the Nobel Prize in Literature for “The Audacity of Hope”. That’s a great read by the way. I will close here but have to say this in all fairness to Mr Obama, and whatever this award means to him and his cause, congratulations bwana wa mu kikuyu!
The nobel prizes and the institute are now offically a joke.
Alfred Nobel himeslf was not peaceful, the bastard invented explosives which have encouraged more blood shed.If Obam was a peacemaker he could have taken American troops out of Iraqi and Afghanistan and taken them instead to Dafur and Easten Congo to bring peace.Proposing to reduce nuclear bombs from thousands to a few thousands is not bringing peace,a few are more than enough to destroy the entire earth.Stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons is total hypocrisy when America has thousands of atomic and hydrogen bombs.
Thank you to those who have made sensible comments on the Obama Nobel Peace prize. It is always refreshing to learn something useful from such bloggers. The best that the empty drum bloggers can do is to try to make a senseless connection to RB. True to their usual senselessness they do not know that there are many other world leaders who have not won the Nobel Peace prize: Gordon Brown, Hu Jintao, Angela Merkel, Lula de silva, Sarkozy, Medvedev, Amando Guebuza, Kabila, Elen Johnson Sirleaf etc etc.
But he did successfully win the war against the moon people…one bomb, no casualties, a triumphant success.Result Nobel Peace Prize!! LOL.
He should have shared the award with tsvangirai
he was nominated two weeks after he got onto office surely that is not enough time for nomination.this politics is all smoke and mirrors what you see and hear is not what it actually is.there is a huge conspiracy which the naked eye and the untrained mind can’t see
I WISH THEY HAD GIVEN IT TO KK !!!!
Simon, you have put up very good points of view. America is the world power (like it or not). Successive American presidents have taken joy rides on this status. Obama has expounded respect for peoples of all nations. People like Chapwa have no idea what this means for an American President to make such a statement. Translating Obama’s statement into action is not a preserve for Obama or America alone. Chapwa does not even know withdraw in a military confrontation can even be more difficult than engagement. Obama is struggling to end the war that somebody else created. He can not just withdraw troops – this would even turn out catastrophic for the very people you want to protect. You even have the audacity to label Obama war criminal – what is your identity, are you from the moon??
Meanwhile the death of the US$ is slowly approaching.
#59 adviser
The war is based on a lie.9/11 was an inside job.Over the past two years, scores of highly regarded individuals have gone public to express their serious doubts about 9/11. These include former presidential advisor and CIA analyst Ray McGovern, the father of Reaganomics and former Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury Paul Craig Roberts, BYU physics Professor Steven Jones, former German defense minister Andreas von Buelow, former MI5 officer David Shayler, former Blair cabinet member Michael Meacher, former Chief Economist for the Department of Labor during President George W. Bush’s first term Morgan Reynolds and many more.
just watch and smile …..watch and smile. A bit too early for the award but considering that he inspires confidence that he will make some change .. maybe he deserves it.
Obama has just plans that have not yielded anything as at now and the prize is a bit too early for him. I wonder what the rush was to give the award. He can be the first African American president but I think he is being exaggerated too much, as much is expected from him.
Bitterness and anger are the aftermath of mindlessness.
#59 Chapwa – I will not speculate whether 9/11 was an inside job or not regardless of who says what, unless one presents irrefutable evidence. Well, that’s besides the point, what I said earlier is that Obama did not start this war. He even opposed it in Congress (McCain, Hillary voted for it). He is doing everything possible to end this war responsibly – and you call him a war criminal. Regardless of your predisposition, this is an unfortunate comment from you if not careless. Remember, there are forces right now that he is fighting against that want this war to go on.
#65 Adviser–The Nobel Committee has awarded the 2009 Peace Prize to President Obama, the person who started a new war in Pakistan, upped the war in Afghanistan, and continues to threaten Iran with attack unless Iran does what the US government demands and relinquishes its rights as a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty.
Tell that to the 2 million displaced Pakistanis and the unknown numbers of dead ones that Obama has racked up in his few months in office. Tell that to the Afghans where civilian deaths continue to mount as Obama’s “war of necessity” drones on indeterminably.
No Bush policy has changed. Iraq is still occupied. The Guantanamo torture prison is still functioning. Rendition and assassinations are still occurring. Spying on Americans without warrants is still the order of the day. Civil liberties are continuing to be violated in the name of “war on terror.”
Obama has done nothing to hold the criminal Bush regime to account.
When justifications for war become almost endless–oil, hegemony, women’s rights, democracy, revenge for 9/11, denying bases to al Qaeda and protecting against terrorists–war becomes the path to peace.
Big up my man! You are an inspiration to the whole world. How I wish Zambia had a leader of your calibre.