World awaits new US president hoping to heal global divisions

PARIS (AFP) - World leaders keenly awaited the outcome of the US presidential election, with many urging the new White House administration to seize the chance to repair ties battered by the war in Iraq.
As the cliff-hanger election saw incumbent President George W. Bush nudging ahead of Democrat rival John Kerry, many countries said one of the top challenges facing the incoming president would be working to heal global divisions.
Ties between the EU and Washington have not fully recovered since they nose-dived in the follow-up to the launch of the war in Iraq in March 2003.
Britain, Bush`s strongest ally in his war on terror and in Iraq, remained cautious Wednesday, with Prime Minister Tony Blair only saying: "Like everyone else, I await the outcome of the other (US) presidential election with interest."
But other countries were hoping to see a new chapter in ties unfold.
"I simply hope that the American president, whatever his name might be, will take this opportunity to reach out to Europeans and say in both style and substance how we can work together," said Karsten Voigt, Germany`s coordinator for transatlantic relationships.
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier also said it was time for a new phase in Franco-American relations in a multipolar world. "The Americans cannot think they can build, direct and inspire the world all by themselves," he said.
Germany and France were among the strongest European opponents of the war in Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.
Conscious of the vital role played in international affairs by the world`s only true super-power, many countries said they were ready to work with whoever took over the president`s mantle.
Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said he hoped nothing would change in the role the US-led coalition plays in Iraq whoever won the election.
"Whoever is the winner will be our friend. The United States has liberated us from a dictator and a very long period of war and agony," Allawi told the Italian daily La Repubblica ahead of a visit to Italy Thursday.
The Palestinian Authority also said it would work with the new White House adminstration whatever its political colours.
"We are ready to work with any American administration. The only thing we are interested in is seeing an administration that will work to advance the peace process ... to allow the creation of a Palestinian state," said spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina.
Many countries remain worried about Bush`s foreign policy and its implications for the Middle East, if he is re-elected, especially given fears of international terrorism.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was among a handful of leaders along with the prime ministers of Italy and Japan to support Bush`s re-election bid, said a Bush win would be a victory over terror.
"I have said that international terrorism wanted to derail Bush`s (chances of) victory," Putin said. "If Bush wins, then I will be able to rejoice that the American people did not allow themselves to be scared and made a right decision."
Also in Moscow, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Bush`s re-election "will make our life easier," at a joint press conference with Putin.
"In the international arena, Bush will pursue a policy that will give the United States the role of a promoter of liberty and democracy in the world."
There were early pledges from US diplomats that efforts would be made to heal divisions, particularly transatlantic ties.
"You`re going to see a United States that is interested in listening to your concerns, that is going to be dealing with you, coming from humility and coming from respect," US ambassador to the European Union Rockwell Schnabel told reporters in Brussels.
White House chief of staff Andrew Card said Bush would declare victory later in the day maintaining he had won by a "decisive margin."
But with Kerry refusing to concede the strategic state of Ohio, the final outcome of the election -- the second cliffhanger in four years -- may not be known for 10 days at least.
Unsurprisingly countries such as Australia, Japan, Poland and Italy who have been strong supporters of the war in Iraq, felt their alliances with the US would remain strong whoever was in the seat of power.
"No matter which candidate claims victory, the importance of the friendly relations between Japan and the United States and the Japan-US security alliance will not change in principle," Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said.
Poland clearly favored the incumbent. "We like strong and decisive leaders, whom we can judge by their acts and not their words. George Bush is closer to us with his actions. He is predictable and strong," Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Bush would likely be re-elected and that he did not expect major policy changes.
"We`ve had a very good relationship with them for the last four years and I`m sure we`ll be able to keep building on that over the next four.
"But frankly, if Senator (John) Kerry somehow miraculously comes through here, or if he had been elected, we would have worked very well with him."
Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori said however that a likely Bush victory would bring more "dictatorship" and "extremism" to the world, but that even if John Kerry won, the lot of developing countries would be ignored.

11/03/2004 - 15:24 GMT - AFP