VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Peace Prize Award Elicits Praise, Cr

By Michael Bowman
Washington
09 October 2009

 
President Barack Obama speaks at the White House about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, 09 Oct 2009
Global reaction to U.S. President Barack Obama being awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ranges from hearty¹ congratulations to expressions of disbelief and derision.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the president for his work to strengthen international diplomacy², citing in particular efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The peace prize appears to have caught everyone, including Mr. Obama himself, by surprise.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he called to wake President Obama early Thursday with the unexpected news. "I think it is safe to say he was surprised," he said.

Less than a year after taking office, Mr. Obama is joining an elite³ group of recognized peacemakers that includes Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Speaking at the White House, Mr. Obama's tone was one of humility⁴. "To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize -- men and women who have inspired me, and inspired the entire world through their courageous⁵ pursuit of peace," Mr. Obama said.

Global reaction was swift and varied⁶. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the peace prize as "great news". "President Obama embodies⁷ the new spirit of dialogue and engagement on the world's biggest problems: climate change, nuclear disarmament and a wide range of peace and security challenges," he said.

Several Nobel laureates were in agreement, including South Africa's Desmond Tutu. "It is an award that anticipates an even greater contribution towards making our world a safer place for all," Tutu said.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter described the Obama selection as "a bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment to peace and harmony in international relations".

Across the United States, many Americans expressed surprise.

"I am flabbergasted and amazed, actually," one person said. Another added: "I was a little shocked because I thought the timing⁸ was interesting in that he has not been in office for very long." A third person had this reaction: "As much as I like Barack Obama, I just do not know that he has done enough to warrant such an honor."

At American College in Cairo, political scientist Saiid Sadek found Mr. Obama's selection odd and undeserved. "There is no peace in Iraq, nor in Afghanistan. The Arab-Israeli conflict is still at a standstill. As usual, nothing happened. And Guantanamo Bay jail is still open. So what for is he getting that prize?," he said.

President Obama's domestic political rivals echoed the criticism. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said, in his words, "It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."

For his part, the president attempted to share the honor with the nation as a whole. "Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments⁹, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations¹⁰ held by people in all nations," Mr. Obama said,.

The chairman of the Nobel committee, Thorbjoern Jagland denied the honor is premature¹¹. He said the committee has on many occasions tried to enhance what many personalities¹² are trying to do.
               
If the peace prize was awarded to cheer ongoing¹³ efforts, some are suggesting it will increase pressure on President Obama to deliver concrete results on the world stage. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says Mr. Obama will have to prove himself even more from now on.

Two other sitting U.S. presidents have become Nobel laureates: Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.

 

1 hearty   

adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

参考例句：

• After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
• We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

2 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

5 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

6 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

7 embodies   

v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 )；象征；包括；包含

参考例句：

• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This document embodies the concern of the government for the deformity. 这个文件体现了政府对残疾人的关怀。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

9 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

10 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

11 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。

12 personalities   

n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
• Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。

13 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。