President Obama's name had been mentioned in speculation here in Norway in the days before the award was announced, but many Nobel commentators believed it was too early to award the US president, with less than a year in office. (New material)
However, although surprised, many called the decision "bold" or "a decicion for hope", pointing to Obama's visions for the future, - and the announcement brought applause from the crowd of media people gathered at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.

Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee said: - Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future.

- In the past year Obama has been a key person for important initiatives in the U.N. for nuclear disarmament and to set a completely new agenda for the Muslim world and East-West relations, Jagland said.

He added that the committee endorsed "Obama's appeal that 'Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.'"

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg called the decision a visionary and surprising choice. He stressed Obama's iniative over the past year, which he said had created a new world climate for multilateral cooperation, built on dialogue.

- It is an important award because it may serve as an added stimulus in efforts to achieve the President’s visions,” says Prime Minister Stoltenberg

Leader of the Progress Party, the largest opp.osition party, Siv Jensen, was one of the few who voiced criticism, saying Obama had not yet delivered. - It is this that counts, not visions, Jensen said, adding she felt that it was too early for Obama.

(NRK)

http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/22603/1/