Dalai Lama congratulates Obama on awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama congratulated US president, Barack Obama, on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2009.

The exiled Tibetan leader, who is currently on a visit to Washington, said in a letter to Obama written today that he was pleased that the Nobel Committee had "recognised your approach towards resolving international conflicts through the wisdom and power of dialogue."

The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that Obama has "created a new climate in international politics" where "dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts."

In his letter, the Dalai Lama said, "The Committee has rightly noted your efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons and your constructive role in environmental protection.
    
Noting that the 20th century was a century of bloodshed, he said, "All of us have the responsibility to make the 21st century a century of dialogue and co-operation. There is thus the need for concerted efforts from all sides in this highly interdependent world to promote and adopt a more compassionate approach."