Norway, December 10: US President Barack Obama on Thursday said the nonviolence practiced by such leaders as Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. should be a guiding force. He was making a speech after he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in a glittering ceremony here this evening.
Obama with a touch of humility said, “I receive this honour with a deep breath as there are many others more deserving of the same.” In the beginning of the speech, the US President defended the anti-war strategy of the US which is being supported by other nations including Norway.
Obama was earlier lauded in the ceremony for working to advance intl diplomacy and harmony.
The fourth US President to be honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize, Obama was lauded for his efforts to create a nuclear-free world. As also for working towards combating global warming, and promoting international diplomacy and peace amidst the backdrop of conflicts prevailing in the world of today.
He was praised in the speech preceding his receiving the Nobel for initiating so many major changes in such a short time.
In his speech he gave while recieving the prize, Obama praised nonviolence practiced by such leaders as Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.and said that that would be a guiding force.
A humble US President Barack Obama told reporters prior to being awarded the peace prize, that others may be “more deserving” of it.
“I have no doubt there are others who may be more deserving,” Obama said at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, adding that he had been surprised to be named as the prize winner in October.
He however pledged to work to enact his pro-engagement foreign policy, including working for lasting peace and security in the world, stabilising Afghanistan, addressing climate change and cutting nuclear weapons.
“The goal is not to win a popularity contest or to get an award, even one as prestigious as the Nobel peace prize. The goal has been to advance America’s interests.
“If I am successful in those tasks, then hopefully some of the criticism will subside, but that is not really my concern.
“If I am not successful, then all the praise and the awards in the world won’t disguise that fact.”
—Agencies