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== Controversial Awards ==

== Controversial Awards ==

Equally there have been several instances where prizes were awarded to those whom many felt did not deserve the honor. Controversy in this regard has been especially acute in the award of the Peace Prize. When Henry Kissinger was awarded the prize in 1973 the American satirist, Tom Lehrer, observed that this had rendered political satire 'obsolete'. Many were outraged by the award to Yasir Arafat in 1994 and others were equally appalled by the prize being awarded to Menachim Begin 1978 especially in the light of his involvement with the terrorist group Irgun Zvai Leumi.  

Equally there have been several instances where prizes were awarded to those whom many felt did not deserve the honor. Controversy in this regard has been especially acute in the award of the Peace Prize. When Henry Kissinger was awarded the prize in 1973 the American satirist, Tom Lehrer, observed that this had rendered political satire 'obsolete'. Many were outraged by the award to Yasir Arafat in 1994 and others were equally appalled by the prize being awarded to Menachim Begin in 1978 especially in the light of his involvement with the terrorist group Irgun Zvai Leumi.  

One factor that may fan the flames of controversy is the speed of recognition with regard to The Peace Prize in relation to the prizes for science and literature which are often awarded decades after the work that is being recognized. In contrast The Peace Prize has often been awarded only a year or so after the political events that have merited the award.  

One factor that may fan the flames of controversy is the speed of recognition with regard to The Peace Prize in relation to the prizes for science and literature which are often awarded decades after the work that is being recognized. In contrast The Peace Prize has often been awarded only a year or so after the political events that have merited the award.  

Whatever the controversies The Peace Prize has, on many occasions, provided much needed recognition for a struggle against oppression that might have been otherwise been ignored. Particularly clear examples of this have been the award in 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi for her heroic struggle against the brutal military dictatorship in Myanmar (Burma) and the award in 1996 to Jose Ramos Horta and Bishop Belo of East Timor in recognition of their struggle against the oppressive and, at times, genocidal occupation of that country by the Indonesian government.

Whatever the controversies The Peace Prize has, on many occasions, provided much needed recognition for a struggle against oppression that might have otherwise been ignored. Particularly clear examples of this have been the award in 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi for her heroic struggle against the brutal military dictatorship in Myanmar (Burma) and the award in 1996 to Jose Ramos Horta and Bishop Belo of East Timor in recognition of their struggle against the oppressive and, at times, genocidal occupation of that country by the Indonesian government.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Nobel Prize laureates]]

[[Category:Nobel Prize laureates]]