War has a role in peace: Obama

Jeff Zeleny

 
US President Barack Obama, accepting the Nobel Peace Prize here on Thursday, acknowledged the age-old tensions between war and peace but  argued that his recent decision to escalate the conflict in Afghanistan was justified to protect the world from terrorism and extremism.

"We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth," Obama said. "We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations — acting individually or in concert — will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified."

Obama invoked his "heroes" Mahatma Gandhi and civil rights leader Martin Luther King. "I know there is nothing weak — nothing passive — nothing naive in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King."

In a ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Obama was formally welcomed into the ranks of Nobel laureates who have won the prize, which was established 108 years ago. He said he accepted the award with "deep gratitude and great humility," conceding it could be seen as premature.

"I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage," Obama said.

"Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize — Schweitzer and King, Marshall and Mandela — my accomplishments are slight." He added, "But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is that I am the commander in chief of a nation in the midst of two wars. One of these wars is winding down."

Trumpets sounded when Obama walked down the long aisle of the soaring ceremonial room, where an audience of 1,000 people waited.

It was a sober 36-minute speech by Obama. His remarks were only occasionally interrupted by applause, including when he said the US "must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war."

The Nobel chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, opened the ceremony by explaining how the committee came to its decision two months ago. He said Obama's leadership had been a "call to action for all of us." As he invoked the story of Martin Luther King Jr, the winner of the prize in 1964, he turned to Obama, saying, "Dr King's dream has come true."

When Obama was presented his gold medal, he stood for well over a minute as he was honored by a standing ovation. His speech, which he was still writing and editing during his seven-hour flight here, called for the world to embrace a bolder vision of itself.

Outside, a dark haze hung over the city, but people lined the roads to catch a glimpse of Obama. Not far away, a crowd chanted and held up a yellow banner, saying, "Obama you won it, now earn it."

Obama, who is scheduled to stay in Oslo for about 26 hours, has miffed some Norwegians by cutting short his participation in traditional events surrounding the Peace Prize ceremony. Obama explained the brevity of his visit. "I only wish that my family could stay longer in this wonderful country," he said, "but I still have a lot of work to do back in Washington, before the year is done."