Trump linking peace prize snub to tumult of recent days is remarkablepublished at 12:03 GMT
12:03 GMT
Joe Inwood
World news correspondent
There it is, in black and white, at the very top of an extraordinary message to the Norwegian prime minister.
It had long been discussed the extent to which Donald Trump,
ever aware of how he is perceived, covets the Nobel Peace Prize. Even so, for
him to link it so directly to the diplomatic tumult of recent days is quite
remarkable.
Last year’s award, which is decided by an independent panel,
was given to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado. That was
followed by her being sidelined by Trump in discussions about the future of the
country, before she promptly arrived at the White House to present him with her
medal.
Trump has also previously criticised the award given to one
of his predecessors. “He got elected and they gave it to (Barack) Obama for
doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country.”
Trump’s message goes on to discuss the implications of the
perceived snub – suggesting that Trump will now begin to act more directly in
the US national interest.
This morning, the Norwegian PM released a statement saying: “I have clearly explained, including to President Trump
what is well known – the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel
Committee”.
One of the things that has been notable since he returned to
the White House is the extent to which international leaders, especially in
Europe, have gone out of their way to lavish praise on Donald Trump’s attempts
at international peace making.
Even that, it seems, has not been enough.