US President Barack Obama's recent Nobel Peace Prize has generated much praise as well as consternation around the world.
The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the US president has not gone down well with those angered by America's decision to expand its military presence in Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
A further point of the contention is the fact that the nomination deadline for the coveted prize was only 12 days after Obama first entered the Oval Office.
People question what Obama has actually achieved.
Even Saturday Night Live, which has been criticised in the past for being too soft on Obama and fellow Democrats, has got in on the act and poked fun at the recent award:
Saturday Night Live Mocks Barack Obama Nobel Peace Prize Win
However, supporters of the prize counter it is not only about accomplishment but that the Nobel Peace Prize was created as much to supply momentum for peace as to celebrate it.
Read what people around the world are saying about President Obama becoming a Nobel laureate:
AGAINST
"Over the last decade the only requirement to win the prize [is] that the nominee had to be critical of George W. Bush."
- Justified right: The Conservative Alternative Blogger, Tommy De Seno
(FOXNEWS: How to Win the Nobel Peace Prize In 12 Days)
"What has Obama done to deserve this prize? The jury put store on his hope for a nuclear arms-free world, forgetting his role in perpetuating his battalions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his decision to install new military bases in Colombia. For the first time, we are witnessing an award with the nominee having done nothing to deserve it."
- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
(REUTERS: Chavez says Obama did "nothing" to deserve Nobel)
"We condemn the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for Obama. We have seen no change in his strategy for peace. He has done nothing for peace in Afghanistan. When Obama was elected president, we were hopeful he would keep his promise to bring change. But he brought no change. He reinforces the war in Afghanistan, he sent more troops to Afghanistan and is considering sending yet more. He has shed Afghan blood and he continues to bleed Afghans and to boost the war here."
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid
(AFP: Taliban condemns Obama's Nobel Peace Prize)
"It seems like the decision revolves around his charisma and all the hype surrounding his presidency, and the euphoria after the Bush years. Closing Guantánamo was a good start, but you really need more results."
- Law-college Lecturer Rabia Shahid, Lahore
(DNA: Nobel peace prize to Obama draws huge criticism from Pakistanis)
"I'm not sure what the international community loved best: his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defence missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran."
- Republican congressman Gresham Barrett
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Obama wins, and partisan fighting continues)
FOR
"Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened."
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee
(NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: Announcement)
"President Obama embodies the new spirit of dialogue and engagement on the world's biggest problems."
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
(TIMES OF INDIA: Obama embodies 'spirit of dialogue': UN chief)
"The award marks America's return to the hearts of the world's peoples."
- President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy
BBC: Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
"...[the award} was an incentive to the president and to us all to do more for peace.. his engagement for a world free of nuclear weapons is a goal that we must all try to achieve in the coming years."
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel
(THE NEWS: Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize)
"President Obama has already shown great leadership in international affairs, including in the fields of nuclear disarmament, global economic governance, climate change and human rights... His engagement has changed the dynamics of a number of global and regional debates."
- Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.
(THE AGE: Rudd praises Obama's leadership)
- NZ HERALD STAFF
