Obama deserved Nobel prize for his efforts to promote world peace

The bold decision by US president Barack Obama to unconditionally withdraw the controversial move of building a missile defence shield across Europe is indeed, timely and commendable. This magnanimous decision is not only sensitive but it also charts a new, peaceful and non-confrontational resolving of complex security issues across the world.

More importantly, it will eventually reduce animosity and tension between the world military superpowers - the US and Russia.The message President Obama is sending to the whole world is that the era of the US flexing it’s military might by making unilateral decisions that eventually antagonise the whole world is long gone. Such flexing of muscle promoted military spending and arms race among nations and is untenable when the entire world is reeling under the global financial crunch.

The architects of this nefarious military programme were members of former President George Bush’s war mongering “kitchen cabinet” led by Vice- President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. History will judge them harshly for endangering world peace and stability by advocating extremist and dangerous remedies to counter extremist or rogue states.

By endorsing this ambitious nuclear shield, it could have consequently triggered unprecedented and vicious arms race never ever witnessed in the history of mankind. This could have easily generated into World War 111.

President Obama’s concerted efforts of finding peace in the volatile Middle East, solving the N. Korea and S. Korea crises, willing to negotiate with Iran by persuading her to suspend her nuclear enrichment programme, tackling the global financial crises and global warming, plus making every effort to eliminate drug trafficking in Central America coupled with putting Africa’s problems in the world agenda made him a potential candidate for the coveted and prestigious Nobel Peace Price this year.

ENOCK ONSANDO
Mombasa

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This was a very odd choice for Nobel Peace Prize winner. Many who follow world politics would say President Obama has not done enough to deserve the prize, many others would go so far as to say he has not done enough even to get nominated, but this is politics and each one has his opinion.This was a truly bizarre choice, but one that will no doubt be celebrated wherever black people are today.

BASIL IBRAHIM,
Nairobi

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The honour bestowed on US President Barack Obama barely nine months after he took office is a double edged sword. President Obama was honoured for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”, his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

This is a moment of elation and pride for Washington, Mr Obama personally and indeed for Kenya. This acclaim will help to motivate President Obama in his future national reforms, global outreach and American image overhaul, but it will almost certainly bring more pressure on him to choose the peace making option and all his actions will be under closer scrutiny.

HAIKA KITURI,
Mombasa