The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee said “It was his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". They named his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation, as well as combating climate change.
The chairman of the Committee, Thorbjoern Jagland, said awarding of the prize to Obama was seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his still immature administration.
Obama planned to travel to Oslo in December to accept the prize. He said he was surprised and deeply humbled by the honour. "Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations."
Obama will give to charity the $1.4 million cash award that comes with the prize. "It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama's message of hope", said Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of South Africa, who won the prize in 1984. He said the decision showed that great things are expected from Obama and "wonderful recognition"
Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, denounced the Nobel committee's decision, stating Obama had only accelerated the war and had "the blood of the Afghan people on his hands. "The Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki named the Nobel decision as being "hasty."
The decision amazed many Nobel observers, because Obama went into office less than two weeks before the February 1 nomination deadline. Obama's name had been discussed in speculation before the award, but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to give the award to the president.
The peace prize was formed originally to encourage ongoing peace efforts, but Obama's efforts are at far earlier stages than those of past winners and the committee acknowledges that Obama’s actions may not bear fruit at all.
In true Nobel tradition, nominations are put aside and remain a secret for 50 years, unless those making the submissions go public about their choice. This year's nominations included Colombian activist Piedad Cordoba, Afghan woman's rights activist Simi Samar and Denis Mukwege, a physician in war-torn Congo who opened a clinic to help rape victims.
Alfred Nobel, in his 1895 will, insisted that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses."
Obama is only the third sitting U.S. president to win the award: President Theodore Roosevelt won in 1906 and President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the prize in 1919.
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