Nobel peace prize: Norwegians incensed over Barack Obama's snubs

Gwladys Fouché and Ewen MacAskill
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 9 December 2009 20.00 GMT

Barack Obama's trip to Oslo to pick up his Nobel peace award is in danger of being overshadowed by a row over the cancellation of a series of events normally attended by the prizewinner.

Norwegians are incensed over what they view as his shabby response to the prize by cutting short his visit.

The White House has cancelled many of the events peace prize laureates traditionally submit to, including a dinner with the Norwegian Nobel committee, a press conference, a television interview, appearances at a children's event promoting peace and a music concert, as well as a visit to an exhibition in his honour at the Nobel peace centre.

He has also turned down a lunch invitation from the King of Norway.

According to a poll published by the daily tabloid VG, 44% of Norwegians believe it was rude of Obama to cancel his scheduled lunch with King Harald, with only 34% saying they believe it was acceptable.

"Of all the things he is cancelling, I think the worst is cancelling the lunch with the king," said Siv Jensen, the leader of the largest party in opposition, the populist Progress party. "This is a central part of our government system. He should respect the monarchy," she told VG.

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So you give a prestigious prize to a low-life Chicago hoodlum for absolutely no reason and expect him to act all gracious and civilized about it? Did you ever hear about how you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

He worked so hard to earn that prize, and thus values it so much, that he's kind of pissed off that you didn't just mail it to him.