October 9, 2009
barry wins Noble Peace Prize
Archbishop Tutu congratulates barry
Nobel Committee announcement (text) (video)
Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jgland answers why barry (video)
POTUS: re Nobel Prize (text) (video)
Nelson Mandela Foundation re: barry’s Nobel
World leaders respond to the madness. Wonder what they are saying behind closed doors.
JIMMY CARTER:
It shows the hope his administration represents not only to our nation but to people around the world.
Norwegian Prime Minister JENS STOLTENBERG:
This is a surprising, an exciting prize. It remains to be seen if he will succeed with reconciliation, peace and nuclear disarmament.
Afghanistan’s Taliban ZABIHULLAH MUJAHID:
The Nobel prize for peace? Obama should have won the Nobel Prize for escalating violence and killing civilians.
Japanese President YUKIO HATOYAMA:
I think the peace prize was given with such a hope.
German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL:
There is still much left to do, but a window of possibility has been opened.
Chief Palestinian peace negotiator SAEB EREKAT:
We hope that he will be able to achieve peace in the Middle East and achieve Israeli withdrawal to 1967 borders and establish an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Israeli Defence Minister EHUD:
[the prize should enhance Obama's ability] to contribute to establishing regional peace in the Middle East and a settlement between us and the Palestinians that will bring security, prosperity and growth to all the peoples of the region.
Hamas’ ISMAIL HANIYEH:
Unless real and deep-rooted change is made in American policy towards recognising the rights of the Palestinian people I would think such a prize would be useless.
Senior Iraqi Sunni Muslim lawmaker SALEH AL-MUTLAQ:
I think he deserves this prize. Obama succeeded in making a real change in the policy of the United States — a change from a policy that was exporting evil to the world to a policy exporting peace and stability to the world.
Indonesia : head, largest Muslim organisation Nahdatul Ulama, MASDAR MAS’UDI:
I think it’s appropriate because he is the only American president who has reached out to us in peace. On the issues of race, religion, skin colour, he has an open attitude.
Pakistan: senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami LIAQAT BALUCH:
It’s a joke. How embarrassing for those who awarded it to him because he’s done nothing for peace. What change has he brought in Iraq, the Middle East or Afghanistan?
Lebanon: Hezbollah member of parliament HASSAN FADLALLAH:
We were waiting for deeds, not words that soon vanish.
Secretary General of Amnesty International IRENE KHAN:
We look to him for decisive action to pursue peace with justice in the Middle East, end the rollback on human rights in the name of counter terrorism and reinforce the fight against poverty at a time of economic crisis.
Poland: LECH WALESA:
So soon? This is too soon. He has not yet made a real input. He is proposing, he is starting, but he still has to do it all.
South Africa’s Archbishop DESMOND TUTU:
a magnificent endorsement for the first African American president in history.
barry’s UNCLE SAID in Kenya:
It is humbling for us as a family and we share in Barack’s honour. We congratulate him.
Zimbabwean Prime Minister MORGAN TSVANGARA:
I wish to congratulate President Obama. I think he is a deserving candidate.
Source: REUTERS
