Have Europeans Set a 'Nobel Trap' for Obama?: China Youth Daily, People's Republic of Chinas

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[China Daily, People's Republic of China]

China Youth Daily, People's Republic of China

Have Europeans Set a 'Nobel Trap' for Obama?

Have Europeans in some way set up President Obama? That is one of a number of theories suggested by Li-Ming yang of China's state-controlled China Youth Daily, to explain why America's young leader has been honored with one of the world's most coveted awards, the Nobel Peace Prize.

Translated by Jimmy Chow

By Li-Ming yang [杨丽明]

October 11, 2009

People's Republic of China - China Youth Daily - Original Article (Chinese)

Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize! On October 9 this was major news, repeated again and again on American TV networks, Web sites and other media. It seems everyone - including Obama - was stunned. Supporters saw it as a fairytale; opponents regarded it as a joke.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee was very “considerate” in not waking Obama in the middle of the night, U.S. time. It was only in the very early morning of the 9th that White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters of the “breaking news” - and only after verifying the report with Obama.

'MR. PRESIDENT … WE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS AND

SOME BAD NEWS … PLEASE NOTE IT'S THE SAME NEWS'

[La Soir, Belgium]

Many American media outlets and members of the public were surprised that Obama had won the prize, didn't understand why and even became skeptical.

A headline on the Web site of The New York Times said: Surprise Nobel for Obama Stirs Praise and Doubts. The Washington Post site called it a Stunning Choice.

Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele said that Obama had won because of his "star power" rather than for any meaningful achievement; "It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."

Claire Sprague, 82, a retired English professor, was quoted [by Reuters] as saying, "It would be wonderful if I could think why he won … They wanted to give him an honor, I guess, but I can't think what for."

New Yorker Itya Silverio was surprised. "My first opinion is that he got it because he's Black. What did he do that was so great? He hasn't even finished office yet."

When Reuters wrote an e-mail to senior Obama adviser David Axelrod to tell him that many people were surprised Obama had won, he replied, “As are we.”

'NUCLEAR-FREE VISION' KEY TO WINNING

President Obama speaks at Hradcany Square in Prague, April 5, calling for an end to nuclear weapons.

EUROPEAN UNION VIDEO: Barack Obama outlines his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, in a major speech in the Czech Republic capital, Prague, Apr. 5, 00:32:59

The Nobel Prize Committee subsequently revealed what had the most profound influence on committee members: Obama’s April speech in Prague and his address to the United Nations in September, on his vision for a "non-nuclear world."

Obama won the award “… for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. … Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics,” the committee said.

Perhaps because he came to power less than a year ago and his policies are still to be tested, four of the five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee thought that rather than awarding Obama in recognition of his achievements, it was better to say it was a “vote of confidence” in the future of the Obama's "young government" to provide it with some “international support.”

Since taking office, Obama has earned praise from many places, particularly Europe, for his commitment and proactive attitude to global problems including nuclear weapons reduction, resolving nuclear disputes, responding to climate change and supporting a “multilateral world.” Those in the European Union who were once critical of the U.S. government now universally believe that Obama is returning the U.S. to mainstream American society.

[Courrier International, France]

In July, the PEW Global Attitudes Project published its latest survey of 27,000 people in 25 countries that support for the Obama government had doubled, allegedly to the highest levels since President George W. Bush came to power.

Some people interpreted this to mean that the “unilateralism” of the Bush administration after the 9-11 terrorist attacks generated extreme negativity toward the U.S., so there was a strong rebound after the Obama government came to office. No doubt, Obama's victory was a "slap in the face" to Bush.

Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjørn Jagland said: "Some people say - and I understand it - 'Isn't it premature? Too early?' Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond - all of us."

FAIRYTALE OR A JOKE

Perhaps Obama's legendary experience would make a good movie script. His almost mythical rise has made him a popular star for countless Americans. In 2004, the little-known Obama became a young senator. Just four years later, the Black beat the politically well-connected Hillary Clinton and overpowered political veteran John McCain to become the first Black U.S. president. Almost nine months later among numerous other accolades, his halo is even more dazzling now that the Nobel Peace Prize has unexpectedly fallen on his head.

Supporters say that this near fairytale has its origins in Obama’s ideals and perseverance. His concern for a “nuclear weapons-free world,” “climate change,” “multilateralism” and other ideals are closely bound up with the development of word peace, so it might even be said that this award is based on actual achievements.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Yet many opponents believe it’s just a joke - that this man is all talk and no action. Despite his efforts, the number of "quasi-nuclear states" is growing rather the declining; the nuclear weapons of India and Pakistan’s seem to have been forgotten by the world; and no progress has been made addressing the nuclear weapons of North Korea or the Iranian nuclear issue. And while indeed, troops are being withdrawn from Iraq, what about Afghanistan? The fear is that the United States will continue to surge reinforcements.

'HASTILY DONE'

[Het Parool, The Netherlands]

In regard to climate change, the pledges of the United States are less than the profound and practical as the action taken by Europe, making substantial results at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference talks at the end of the year unlikely. These people believe that once again, Obama has benefited from his celebrity, that the Nobel Committee has jumped on the bandwagon by following the star - and that this is simply a joke.

Obama is also quite aware that he is far from carrying the weight of previous presidents who won the prize. Before him, Theodore Roosevelt won in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919, making Obama the third sitting president to win.

At a news conference, Obama expressed surprise and accepted the honor while emphasizing a humble attitude. "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…To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize."

IS THIS IS A EUROPEAN TRAP?

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has already been spoken for, but there's no harm debating the rights and wrongs. Whether it’s for Obama and his government or for the world, it is fair to assess the impact of the event.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

On the positive side, Obama's stature and personal popularity will almost certainly be enhanced for winning the prize and will surely provide a helping hand as he tries to push a climate change and energy security bill through the U.S. Senate. And of course, the global image of the United States will be altered significantly. French President Nicolas Sarkozy believes it recognizes “the return of America to the hearts of the peoples of the world."

But others question whether Obama hasn’t inadvertently fallen into a European trap. Now the Nobel Prize Committee has put Obama on an "altar," but rather than a comfortable sofa, the altar looks like a heated bed in summer.

So what anti-terror strategy should Obama adopt now? Raising troop levels in Afghanistan may be inevitable, but will this drag the U.S. into a protracted quagmire? The Taliban have said that Obama’s hands are covered with the blood of Afghans and that whatever he does, it will increase the level of conflict. With his “laurel of peace,” should Obama make more peaceful efforts on this front?

Moreover, on the issues of nuclear disarmament and climate change, should the U.S. make more substantial concessions? Now that he has climbed so high, even the slightest mistake could make him trip - or worse. His opponents may then take any excuse to mock and ridiculed him.

There are those who believe that Europeans are good with strategy. When Obama decided to go to Oslo to accept the award, they say one foot was already in the trap. Obama's dazzling laurel hasn't made it any easier for him to facilitate the handling of international affairs. Rather, it has encumbered him with lots of additional constraints.

Super Prize Me

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Dagens Nyheter, Sweden: The Norwegians 'Got Carried Away' with Obama

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