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US President Barack Obama evoked the cause of a just war yesterday, accepting his Nobel Peace Prize just nine days after sending 30,000 more US troops to war in Afghanistan. But he is promising to use the prestigious prize to "reach for the world that ought to be".
Obama became the first sitting US president in 90 years and the third ever to win the prize - some say prematurely. He and his wife, Michelle, whirled through a day filled with Nobel pomp and ceremony in Oslo.
Obama delivered a Nobel acceptance speech commenting on war's use and prevention. He crafted much of the address himself and the scholarly remarks - at about 4,000 words - were nearly twice as long as his inaugural address.
"I face the world as it is," Obama said, refusing to renounce war for his nation or under his leadership, saying that he is obliged to protect and defend the United States.
"A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida's leaders to lay down their arms," Obama said. "To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism, it is a recognition of history."
The president laid out the circumstances where war is justified - in self-defense, to come to the aid of an invaded nation, or on humanitarian grounds, such as when civilians are slaughtered by their own government or a civil war threatens to engulf an entire region.
"The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it," he said.
He also spoke bluntly of the cost of war, saying of the Afghanistan buildup he just ordered that "some will kill, some will be killed".
"No matter how justified, war promises human tragedy," he said.
Obama was staying in Oslo only about 24 hours and skipping the traditional second day of festivities.
Questions:
1. How many US presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize?
2. Where was the Nobel ceremony held?
3. When is war justified, according to Obama?
Answers:
1. Three.
2. Oslo.
3. In self-defense, to come to the aid of an invaded nation, or on humanitarian grounds, such as when civilians are slaughtered by their own government or a civil war threatens to engulf an entire region.
（中國日報(bào)網(wǎng)英語點(diǎn)津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Nancy Matos is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Nancy is a graduate of the Broadcast Journalism and Media program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her journalism career in broadcast and print has taken her around the world from New York to Portugal and now Beijing. Nancy is happy to make the move to China and join the China Daily team.
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