US President Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize 2009
US President Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Friday, 9 October 2009, 3:07 p.m.
 |
Dharamshala: US President Barack Obama has been chosen for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has announced today.
The committee highlighted Mr Obama’s efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.
“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 committee said in a citation.
“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.”
There were a record 205 nominations for this year’s prize. Zimbabwe’s prime minister and a Chinese dissident had been among the favourites.
The prize worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.4 million) will be presented to Mr Obama in Oslo on 10 December.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Congratulates President Obama on Nobel Peace Prize
Saturday, 10 October 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Washington, DC: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated President Obama on being named the recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
In a communication sent today to the President, His Holiness, who is in Washington, D.C., said, “I am pleased that the Nobel Committee has recognized your approach towards resolving international conflicts through the wisdom and power of dialogue.”
His Holiness said: “The Committee has rightly noted your efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons and your constructive role in environmental protection. The 20th century was a century of bloodshed and all of us have the responsibility to make the 21st century, a century of dialogue and co-operation. There is thus the need for concerted efforts from all sides in this highly interdependent world to promote and adopt a more compassionate approach.”
“I have maintained that the founding fathers of the United States have made this country the greatest democracy and a champion of freedom and liberty. It is, therefore, important for today’s American leaders to adopt principled leadership based on these high ideals. Such an approach will not only enhance the reputation of the USA, but also contribute tremendously in reducing tension in the world,” His Holiness said.
(source: tibet.net)
