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World Leaders Congratulate Bush's Victory in US Presidential Race
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Thursday, December 14, congratulated Texas Governor George W. Bush for his victory in the US presidential election, vowing to work with him to tackle various problems facing the world.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Bush," Mori told reporters.
The Japanese Prime Minister also expressed the hope that leaders of Japan and the US can cooperate further and tackle various issues facing the international community in the 21st century.
Mori plans to visit the United States soon after Bush is sworn in January 20, Japanese government officials said.
Australia's political leaders Thursday congratulated US President-Elect George W. Bush on emerging the victor in the long drawn-out presidential poll.
Prime Minister John Howard sent Bush congratulations in a letter written on behalf of the nation.
With the greeting Dear President-Elect, written in his own hand, Howard said he wished Bush and vice-presidential running mate Dick Cheney every success in leading their country and its people.
Australia's federal opposition Labor Party leader Kim Beazley said it had been a long and difficult contest but now that it was over, Bush had to work to restore confidence and good faith in the American system.
"The last five exhausting weeks have tested democracy in the United States and it is pleasing to see the matter has reached a conclusion," Beazley said in a statement.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in an interview that Bush had a very strong commitment to free trade.
"I hope very much that during the course of next year, his first year, he will play an important role in getting a WTO round of negotiations going," Downer said.
British Prime Minister Blair Congratulates BushBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair Thursday congratulated the United States President-elect George W. Bush on his victory in the just concluded election and said he was confident the two leaders would "strengthen still further" their "special friendship."
"I know that together we will strengthen still further the special friendship between Britain and the United States," Blair said in a message sent to Bush after Vice President Al Gore conceded the election.
Blair, who enjoyed a friendly relationship with Democratic President Bill Clinton, also underscored the common interests and values uniting the two close allies.
"My warmest congratulations on your victory in the presidential election. It was a long and agonizing wait for you," Blair said.
"I'm very glad it is finally settled," he added.
Also on Thursday, current US President Clinton is keeping on a visit to Ireland and Britain, seeking to reassure leaders in Northern Ireland that Washington will continue to play a leadership role in the push for lasting peace. But some diplomats doubt whether a Republican administration led by Bush would play as active a role in the process as that of Clinton.
Clinton planned to meet Queen Elizabeth II in London on Thursday. Then he is scheduled to deliver a foreign policy address at the University of Warwick.
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