"I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize," he said. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century." Many observers were shocked by the unexpected choice so early in the Obama presidency, which began less than two weeks before the February 1 nomination deadline and has yet to yield concrete achievements in peacemaking.
Some around the world objected to the choice of Obama, who still oversees wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has launched deadly counter-terror strikes in Pakistan and Somalia. Obama said he was working to end the war in Iraq and ``to confront a ruthless adversary that directly threatens the American people and our allies' in Afghanistan.
Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said their choice could be seen as an early vote of confidence in Obama intended to build global support for his policies. They lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the US role in combating climate change.
``Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics,' the citation read, in part. ``Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.' Aagot Valle, a lawmaker for the Socialist Left party who joined the committee this year, said she hoped the selection would be viewed as ``support and a commitment for Obama.'
``And I hope it will be an inspiration for all those that work with nuclear disarmament and disarmament,' she told The Associated Press in a rare interview. Members of the Nobel peace committee usually speak only through its chairman.
The peace prize was created partly to encourage ongoing peace efforts but Obama's efforts are at far earlier stages than past winners'. The Nobel committee acknowledged that they may not bear fruit at all.