No.313 SIM音読用英文

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Criticism
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said

he was called

to wake President Obama early Thursday

with the unexpected news.


"I think it's safe to say

he was very surprised."


Less than a year after taking office,

Mr. Obama is joining an elite group of recognized peacemakers

that includes Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Martin Luther
King, Jr.


Speaking at the White House,

Mr. Obama's tone was one of humility.


"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 --

men and women who've inspired me,

and inspired the entire world

through their courageous pursuit of peace."


Global reaction was swift and varied.


U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the peace prize

as "great news".


Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter described the Obama selection

as "a bold statement of international support

for his vision

and commitment to peace and harmony

in international relations."


At American University in Cairo,

political scientist Saiid Sadek found Mr. Obama's selection odd
and undeserved.


President Obama's domestic political rivals echoed the criticism.


Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said,

in his words,

"It is unfortunate

that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates

who have made real achievements

working towards peace and human rights."


For his part, the president attempted

to share the honor

with the nation as a whole.


"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."


The chairman of the Nobel committee denied

the honor is premature,

saying the committee has on many occasions tried

to enhance what many personalities are trying to do.


If the peace prize was awarded

to cheer ongoing efforts,

some are suggesting

it will increase pressure on President Obama

to deliver concrete results

on the world stage.


Two other sitting U.S. presidents have become Nobel laureates:

Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.


Michael Bowman, VOA News, Washington