World takes stock as Bush victory sinks in

PARIS (AFP) - After a flood of congratulations to US President George W. Bush on winning a second term in office, world leaders were taking stock of what four more years of "Dubya" in the White House would bring.
Bush was returned with a solid mandate in Tuesday's elections, which will have major implications for issues ranging from the war on terror, to the peace process in the Middle East, transatlantic ties and even global warming.
European leaders, who were gathering in Brussels for a two-day summit, urged Bush to work to heal the rifts over the war in Iraq, while many countries were keen also to press domestic demands.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's staunchest ally in the Iraq war, warmly congratulated the president, and welcomed his victory.
But the British leader said he plans to pressure Washington over the Middle East, calling peace in that region "the single most pressing political challenge in our world".
French President Jacques Chirac, the most vocal critic in the anti-war camp, expressed hope that Bush's second term "will provide an opportunity to reinforce Franco-American friendship" and the transatlantic partnership.
He told Bush he believed the two shared the "ambition to bring peace, security and prosperity to as many people as possible, in a spirit of solidarity."
But a poll overnight in Le Parisien newspaper said 65 percent of French citizens thought Bush's re-election was a "bad thing", as they recalled the animosity unleashed by France's stand against the war.
Several leaders including Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin said Bush's win represented a victory in the US-led war on terror.
"We must be relentless in our war against terrorism, and in resolving the conditions and causes on which the terrorists prey," Blair said.
Key to the next four years will be the make-up of Bush's new administration, and its shaping of foreign policy in the coming term.
"President Bush himself may realise the approach he has been taking may not be all that successful, because there is general agreement that the US, their allies and their friends face a much graver threat than before the September 11 attacks," said terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna.
"He realises that without the support of the Europeans, without the support of the Asian and Middle Eastern countries, especially the Muslim countries, he cannot persist."
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also urged Bush to give his "whole attention" to the Palestinians' plight.
There was widespread dismay among Arabs, that four more years under Bush could fuel wider chaos and bloodshed in the Middle East.
But the Palestinian leadership pledged to work with the new administration.
"President Arafat welcomed Bush's victory and voiced the hope that his new mandate and the confidence placed in him by the American people will give new momentum to the Middle East peace process," said Mohammed Rashid, an aide to Yasser Arafat.
Israel however glowed with satisfaction at Bush's victory, confident of four more years of support from its best-ever friend in the White House.
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told public radio: "He has led the war against terrorism, especially Palestinian terrorism, and he has refused any contacts with Arafat.
"All this reflects the fact that he is the most friendly president towards Israel that we have ever had."
Asian leaders joined the chorus of congratulation, with China's President Hu Jintao saying he hoped the election result would lead to a strengthening of Sino-US ties.
But Beijing also warned Bush to "not send any wrong signals" to Taiwan, noting the island was a top priority in Sino-US relations in the next four years.
"Properly dealing with the Taiwan issue is a critical issue in ensuring China-US relations can develop smoothly," foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said.
A Bush victory was also seen as a relief for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, thrust into an easy alliance with the United States to oust the Islamic Taliban militia from Afghanistan. Musharraf may be pressed to get tougher with Islamic militants, but will not be forced to toe a more democratic line, analysts said.
"I would think that in his heart of hearts Musharraf was definitely hoping Bush would win," military analyst and retired general Talat Masood told AFP.
Two of the United States' most loyal Asian allies, Japan and South Korea, said they hoped to work closely with Washington on trade and security issues.
President Roh Moo-Hyun of South Korea, where thousands of US troops remain stationed along the world's last Cold War border, sent a personal message of congratulations.
In a separate statement, Roh's office identified the North Korean nuclear standoff as a key issue for closer cooperation between Seoul and Washington.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi meanwhile said his friendship with Bush would lead to a stronger alliance between the countries.
"I want to develop Japan-US ties further by giving importance to the confidence and friendship I have built with President Bush," Koizumi said.
In Africa, South African President Thabo Mbeki said he was looking forward to continue working with Bush to fight poverty and underdevelopment in the world's poorest continent.
"We hope for renewed support for and interest in Africa and the developing world, reform of world institutions, and an era of multilateralism marked by social progress for all," Mbeki said, quoted by local news agencies.

11/04/2004 - 12:27 GMT - AFP