'Better than Bush' Obama deserves Nobel award: Iraqis
1 hr 24 mins ago
BAGHDAD (AFP) – US President Barack Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize because he has helped reduce violence in Iraq and is "better than (George W.) Bush," some Iraqis interviewed by AFP said on Friday.
Others however said Obama had "done nothing" for the war-ravaged country and received the award simply because of his position as US president.
"He (Obama) was able to calm the situation in Iraq and other countries, and he made America reach out to Islamic and Arabic countries -- he really deserved this prize more than anyone else," said Abu Istabraq, a 45-year-old security guard for a Baghdad bank.
Obama, he added, deserved the award because he "is better than Bush," referring to former US president George W. Bush, under whose leadership Iraq was invaded in 2003.
Kadim Hussain, speaking in Khilani Square in central Baghdad, said that the prize was "good for the Iraqi people" as well as for Obama.
"We hope that he will deliver on the promises he has made to the Iraqi people about pulling (US forces) out, and helping the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government."
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091009/wl_mideast_afp/nobelpeaceobamairaq_20091009145154