Nobel Committee criticized over Peace Prize choice

GENEVA The International Peace Bureau (IPB) has criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee for deciding to award the European Union (EU) with this year's Peace Prize. IPB - the world's oldest international peace federation, itself the recipient of the award - stated in an open letter to the Sweden-based Nobel Foundation that the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize was unlawful, and could not be paid to the EU. Nobel Committee criticized over Peace Prize choice The Norwegian Committee immediately rejected the demand that the money prize not be paid to the winner. "The European Union clearly is not one of 'the champions of peace' Alfred Nobel had in mind and described in his will as 'the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'," the organization noted. The International Peace Bureau believes that the EU does not wish to see demilitarization in international relations, while its members confirm their security with military bases and create wars, instead of bringing people closer. For that reason, IPB accused the Committee of having "redefined" the award, and demanded that the Nobel foundation urge the Norwegian Committee to follow the will and testament of Alfred Nobel in its future selection of prize winners. The Committee rejected all criticism coming from IPB. "A similar view was expressed on several occasions and will not affect the award," said Geir Lundestad. He added that the prize money will be awarded to the laureate during a ceremony in Oslo scheduled for December 10. Tanjug

Nobel Committee criticized over Peace Prize choice

The Norwegian Committee immediately rejected the demand that the money prize not be paid to the winner.

"The European Union clearly is not one of 'the champions of peace' Alfred Nobel had in mind and described in his will as 'the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'," the organization noted.

The International Peace Bureau believes that the EU does not wish to see demilitarization in international relations, while its members confirm their security with military bases and create wars, instead of bringing people closer.

For that reason, IPB accused the Committee of having "redefined" the award, and demanded that the Nobel foundation urge the Norwegian Committee to follow the will and testament of Alfred Nobel in its future selection of prize winners.

The Committee rejected all criticism coming from IPB. "A similar view was expressed on several occasions and will not affect the award," said Geir Lundestad. He added that the prize money will be awarded to the laureate during a ceremony in Oslo scheduled for December 10.