SPECIAL REPORT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 NEW DELHI 002094 SIPDIS STATE FOR NP, AC, PM STATE FOR INR/MR STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR AID/APRE-A USDOC FOR 4530/IEP/ANESA/OSA FOR BILL MURPHY E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL IN SUBJECT: SPECIAL REPORT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE DRAWS MIXED REACTION IN INDIAN MEDIA ¶1. SUMMARY: Indian media commentators were divided on whether President Barack Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Those in favor argued he has shown remarkable initiatives on the Middle East, inclusive Muslim outreach, and non-proliferation and has all the makings of a world statesman. They felt the prize will only help keep up the pressure on him to stay the path. Others argued that it was a premature decision, and that the Nobel had been compromised. Some editorialists feared President Obama's dream of a nuclear weapons-free world could imply arm-twisting an easy country like India. The entire range of commentary from India's leading English and vernacular newspapers follows. END SUMMARY. -------------- IN FAVOR / OPTIMISTIC -------------- ¶2. "DECODING THE AWARD," THE TIMES OF INDIA, English daily: "We agree that Obama hasn't done nearly enough to earn him the stature of, say, a Nelson Mandela. But does that invalidate the Nobel committee's decision to award him the Peace prize? On the contrary, it could be a brilliant move. The future of the world hinges on men like Obama. By awarding the Peace prize to him, the Nobel committee is in effect telling Obama that the world has certain expectations of him." ¶3. "THE BURDEN OF EXPECTATIONS," THE HINDU, English daily: "It reflects the tremendous hope that has underlined the emergence of Mr. Obama as a world figure on whom is placed the burden of enormous expectations. The Nobel committee's logic appears to be a proactive one. The peace prize is not just about recognizing achievement. It is also meant to be a catalyst for positive change. This high level assertion of faith in Mr. Obama's sincerity and capability should make it easier for him to take bold strides in diplomatic initiatives in West Asia and on the disarmament front. ¶4. "NOBEL WINS AN OBAMA," THE HINDUSTAN TIMES English daily: "There are occasions when the institution itself can bolster its own standing - or should we say public image - by awarding someone whose clout in terms of brand equity is much larger than its own. The Nobel Committee's decision to award Mr. Obama this year's Peace Prize can only be explained along these lines. If nothing else, the Nobel Peace Prize now can be seen for what it is: a brand-building exercise for the Nobel Committee. The award also makes us understand at last, even if indirectly, why Mahatma Gandhi, among a few others, did not get the precious honor." ¶5. "THOROUGHLY DESERVED," THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, English daily: "Despite being saddled with two wars not of his making, Obama has been projecting to the world his vision of a world bonded in fraternal ties, irrespective of race, religion, creed or nationality. The Nobel Peace Prize is a symbolic acknowledgement of this hope and is thoroughly deserved by Obama." NEW DELHI 00002094 002 OF 005 ¶6. "WHO DESERVED IT MORE THAN OBAMA?" DAINIK BHASKAR, Hindi daily: "A Nobel for Obama is a reason to rejoice, not lament. This will strengthen the American President's leadership role in the world. If Obama lives up to his great ideals, he can change the map of the world." ¶7. "OBAMA FOR PEACE," DAINIK HINDUSTAN, Hindi daily: "Obama's opinion on disarmament may be uncomfortable for India, but his intention is certainly to make the world more secure. We hope the Nobel will help make his efforts successful, for the sake of world security." ¶8. " 'NOBLE' OBAMA," SAKAL, Marathi daily: " In just 10 months, Obama has shown to the world that the head of a powerful nation can also speak of friendship. Obama's befriending smile endears young and old at the same time." ¶9. "ALL HAIL OBAMA," THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, English daily: "If he proves in the end to be indeed the Great Conciliator, as Ronald Reagan was the Great Communicator, the Nobel Committee's decision will be seen as prescient." ¶10. "REWARD FOR NEW INITIATIVE," DINAKARAN, Tamil daily: "President Obama's initiative for peace through dialogue has influenced leaders of several other countries. The Nobel prize will encourage President Obama to do more in this direction." ¶11. "PRIZE NOT BED OF ROSES, BUT CROWN OF THORN," AKHBAR-E-MASHRIQ, Urdu daily: "We cannot deny that Obama has set certain targets to achieve world peace. He has stopped torturing arrested terrorists, closed Guantanamo, expressed his vision for a nuclear-free world, and started the process for Middle-East peace... Hopefully, the Nobel award will make him more responsible and accountable." ¶12. "NOBLE AWARD TO OBAMA," MILAP, Urdu daily: "It was no mistake to award the Nobel peace prize to President Obama. But now it is his responsibility to protect the honor of the award. Islamic countries should welcome it, as Obama has initiated steps to forge a new relationship with the Islamic world. This award is a suggestion to Muslim countries to accept his efforts for peace." ¶13. "NOBLE PEACE AWARD TO BARACK OBAMA," SIASAT, Urdu daily: "The award encourages President Obama to continue his ongoing efforts for nuclear disarmament. Apart from this, a big responsibility has been put on his shoulder for restoration of peace in the Middle East." ¶14. "POLITICS OVER NOBLE PEACE PRIZE," RASHTRIYA SAHARA, Urdu daily: "The Noble Committee's decision seems to be to put its stamp of approval on the American people's decision to elect Obama as President. NEW DELHI 00002094 003 OF 005 The Republican Party is playing a cheap politics on the issue." -------------- AGAINST / SKEPTICAL / NOT CONVINCED -------------- ¶15. "A PRIZE TO BIND NUCLEAR INDIA," THE MINT, English daily: "The Nobel is sure to give Obama affirmation about his ideas for a nuclear weapons-free world. The trouble is that he is unlikely to be able to get countries such as Iran and North Korea to back off from the path they've chosen. He is also unlikely to be able to get Russia and China to disarm before the US takes such steps. That leaves players such as India that are considered easy to arm-twist in this quest. ¶16. "NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE HAS LOST ALL CREDIBILITY," columnist M.J. Akbar in THE PIONEER, English daily: "Mr. Obama might have saved himself a great deal of trouble by saying thanks, but no thanks. But he could not resist an award whose credibility collapsed the moment he got it. Mr Obama has given a few pretty speeches and knocked on the table at the United Nations. Mr Obama has made no effort to rein in the most powerful nuclear weapons power in history, a nation that refused to accept any international control or convention and continues to develop the most sophisticated nuclear weapons technology. That country is, of course, the United States of America." ¶17. "AUDACITY OF NOBEL," THE TELEGRAPH English daily: "In an ideal world, the Dalai Lama would meet, greet and welcome the newest member of what is the world's most exclusive club, especially since the two men have worked for peace in the Nobel Committee's assessment. But that will not happen. Although the Dalai Lama is spending a week in Washington, his itinerary will not include a meeting with the President because Obama...does not want - or perhaps cannot afford - to annoy the Chinese. That, in a nutshell, sums up one of the many contradictions in the somewhat bizarre decision to award Obama the Nobel peace prize." ¶18. "AWARD GOES AWRY," THE STATESMAN, English daily: "This is not to slam the highly charming President, he does have the potential to attain what would merit the Nobel Peace prize, but he hasn't done that as yet." ¶19. "THE NOBEL AND THE AUDACITY OF HOPE-GIVING," strategic editor Siddharth Varadarajan, THE HINDU: "The world is so accustomed to American presidents waging war that the first incumbent to promise diplomacy gets to win the Nobel peace prize regardless of what he does." ¶20. "WHAT HAS OBAMA ACHIEVED?" RAJASTHAN PATRIKA, Hindi daily: "Obama has himself shown surprise at getting the Nobel. With the kind of reactions he is getting, President Obama should graciously return the award. " NEW DELHI 00002094 004 OF 005 ¶21. "HASTY NOBEL," NAI DUNIYA, Hindi daily: "With his peace initiatives Obama has created an image of himself completely different from his predecessor George Bush, but let us not forget those initiatives are yet to bear fruit. No doubt the award will strengthen Obama's will, but awards are for showing results not intentions." ¶22. "OBAMA NOBEL - HARD TO DIGEST," AMAR UJALA, Hindi daily: "The Nobel committee has belittled its own award by conferring it upon Obama. Does the most powerful man on earth need a Nobel to encourage him to work toward peace?" ¶23. "NOBEL COMMITTEE'S SHOCK," MAHARASHTRA TIMES, Marathi daily: "Obama's policies are yet to leave a mark on the world. Its effects are yet to be seen. By giving away this prize the Nobel committee has not just acted in haste but has also reduced the seriousness of this prize. " ¶24. "NOBEL PEACE PRIZE SPREADING DISORDER," NAVAKAL, Marathi daily: "If Obama is given this prize then the U.S. should not attack any country in the future. It should not give financial help to any country to buy weapons. It should have regulations on its factories producing weapons." ¶25. "OBAMA GRADED EVEN BEFORE EXAM," NAVASHAKTI, Marathi daily: "It has been one year since Obama has been president but the nuclear weapons free world of his dreams is still a far-fetched proposition. In such a scenario the Nobel committee's decision seems a little astonishing." ¶26. "PRIZE NO LONGER NOBLE," GUJARATMITRA, Gujarati daily: "Are only efforts sufficient to win an honor of this stature? Doesn't one need to show results? The last date for nomination was February 1, while Obama took over on January 20 as the President. What did Obama do in those 11 days for peace?" ¶27. "NOBEL PRIZE DEVALUED?" DIVYA BHASKAR, Gujarati daily: "Isn't it surprising that the head of a nation, known for its global policeman attitude gets the Nobel Peace Prize for just making an appeal for global peace? Under his leadership, Pakistan received massive aid that the latter is using against India." ¶28. "IS PRIZE STILL 'NOBLE'?" JANMABHOOMI, Gujarati daily: "The decision to award Obama can be defended on two counts -- firstly to encourage a visionary leader, and secondly to commemorate an African-American's rise to US Presidency.... However, the decision seems hasty." ¶29. "WILD CARD: THE CHOICE PUTS THE AWARD IN A NEW LIGHT," DECCAN HERALD, English daily: "The Nobel Committee was perhaps influenced by the idea of Obama as it was projected, evolved through his campaign and was understood by the world.... The Committee could have waited for Obama to realize that idea through his NEW DELHI 00002094 005 OF 005 actions at least partially before rushing to honor him." ¶30. "PRESTIGE OF PRIZE IN JEOPARDY," PRAJAVANI, Kannada daily: "Obama's ideas about nuclear non-proliferation are still only vocal, and many of his assurances like withdrawal of forces from Iraq and about Palestine issue are yet to be realized." ¶31. "NOBEL FOR OBAMA," UDAYAVANI, Kannada daily: "This development has created doubts in the minds of people about the Nobel Peace Prize. Now, the responsibility of restoring the credibility of the Prize rests on President Obama. He should don the role of the messenger of peace" ¶32. "WHY NOBLE AWARD TO OBAMA?" MUNSIF, Urdu daily: "What are Obama's achievements? What has he done to save humanity from horrifying atrocities of war, for which Noble Prize is being awarded to him?" ROEMER