New Zealand says US election result means business as usual

WELLINGTON, Nov 4 (AFP) - The reelection of US President George W. Bush would mean business as usual between New Zealand and Washington, Prime Minister Helen Clark said Thursday.
"We congratulate George Bush fully on his victory," Clark told Radio New Zealand.
"He has clearly polled better than he did last time.... It was a very substantial victory."
Asked whether Bush's reelection would be business as usual, she replied: "That's exactly what it means. We will wait to see if there are changes in President Bush's cabinet line up, but at the level of the president, I've got to know him reasonably well at a number of meetings."
New Zealand continued to hope it could negotiate a free trade deal with the United States, Clark said.

11/03/2004 19:46 GMT - AFP