The White House on Friday said that U.S. President Barack Obama is seeing his receipt of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize as a way to advance issues of global importance. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that especially because Obama did not know he was nominated for the prize, the U.S. president was very “surprised” to hear that he had won it. But, Obama has made sure to say that the prize is a “call to action” for the greater international community to unite in an effort to advance causes of mutual concern. The prize is seen “not [for] the achievements of one person,” but to meet the expectations of millions around the world, Gibbs said. “We can help lead the world,” in achieving the goals Obama has long outlined, which “are aspirations held by many.” As of Friday afternoon, when Gibbs briefed members of the press, Obama had only spoken to the Norwegian Prime Minister about the prize. When asked by a member of the press if the White House foresees there being issues of envy between other global leaders of peace and Obama, Gibbs said “I don't believe it would.” Obama just “hopes that what comes of this is galvanized action” in the global community, Gibbs said. The prize naming comes as Obama is in the midst of an ongoing, heated debate about the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, and whether the United States should send additional troops into the war-torn country. Many were concerned about how it would be perceived that a Nobel Peace Prize recipient is sending troops to fuel an already eight-year-long war. “There are actions of necessity,” Gibbs said, adding that Obama will do whatever necessary to protect the “homeland” and to ensure that “we are not attacked and our allies are not attacked.”
