What is the current connection between President Obama and Norway? The President of the United States is set to arrive in Norway tomorrow morning. He will receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Nominations for the prize had to be made in early February of this year, which means that Obama had only been in office for no more than one month. The decision to nominate him so soon into his presidency has been cause for controversy. However, Thorbjørn Jagland, chairman of the Nobel committee, has explained that Obama’s nomination was made with ease because of his diplomatic attitude that world leaders must make decisions based on the values and attitudes of the world’s people.
Surely Obama’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize will give him more clout in the international community at a time when he needs it (after just signing on to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan). In fact, Jagland and the Nobel committe have stated that the nomination of Obama so soon into his career as a world leader can be compared to Mikhail Gorbachev’s recognition in 1990 when he received the Nobel Peace Prize for this efforts to open up the Soviet Union. Like Gorbachev was in 1990, President Obama is being promoted by the prize.
Oslo is embracing for the arrival of President Barack Obama tomorrow morning. The President and First Lady Michelle Obama’s first stop will be at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, which will be followed by a meeting with Norweigan Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Around lunchtime, Kong Harald and Dronning Sonja will receive President Obama and his wife at the Royal Palace. Shortly afterwards will be the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, which will be held at the Oslo City Hall Auditorium. A lunch with the Royal couple has been cancelled (the Obamas turned down the invitation for reasons undisclosed to the public), as well as a visit to the Norwegian Peace Institute. The couple also will not be attending the Nobel Prize Concert that is put on in the Laureate’s honor. After the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony tomorrow afternoon, President Obama and the First Lady will greet the public from their balcony in the Grand Hotel. The final event in Oslo for the coupel will be the Nobel Prize banquet, where the President will give a televised speech.
Many Norwegians feel that it is rude for President Obama to turn down the invitation to lunch with the Norwegian Royal Couple, as well as not planning to be in attendance at the concert. Stay tuned for news on how the Obama’s trip to Oslo goes. Try to listen to his speech!
