THIS OSLO GROUP.

This Oslo group should really make up its mind in awarding the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama; and although, Americans were very enthused to have the president accorded such a great accolade; an honor that all citizens shared in. It should be regarded as a praiseworthy gesture, which should have the approval of the whole world.

First, it was for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,"; and second, citing "his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.". That in itself was a mouthful for the Norwegian Nobel Peace Committee; was it not?

The award was usually given for just one reason; but his was a combination of reasons designed to be a little bit more palatable to consume, but at the same time, slightly confusing; and if that was unintended, it looked quite deliberate; just as a "soft blow" that would catch the outside world unawares. Very clever indeed.

However the delight would end, when we realized that the award came at a time when he (Obama) was in the grips of a tough decision making period in his presidency; to be under so much pressure to send more troops into the Afghanistan theater to eliminate the insurgency there; and to get a peace prize at that particular moment?

He would be in such a dilemma, particularly, talking about a critical decision of sending soldiers to a Muslim country to fight the people there.

Of course, the committee knew about the Taliban, and of the insurgency, and the troop demand that was being debated in all political circles around the world; and for him to be made the recipient of the accredited and famous Nobel Peace Prize was outright ingenious. Nevertheless, it would rather put the president on the spot, if not under the spotlight, to influence his decision, one way or another.

Those of us, however, who wanted the U.S. and its allies to defeat the Taliban, would only hope that the president would not be cajoled in any way; and that he would make the right choice. His very competent cabinet and expert advisers would make sure of that.

Rest assured, Oslo group.