World ResponDS
Here's is a peek at what the rest of the world's leaders are thinking about Barack's win:
ICOLAS SARKOZY,
FRENCH PRESIDENT
"With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American
people, faithful to the values that have always defined America's identity, have
expressed with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we
must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in
France, in Europe and beyond."
HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT
"I applaud the American people for their great decision and I hope that
this new administration in the United States of America, and the fact of the
massive show of concern for human beings and lack of interest in race and colour
while electing the president, will go a long way in bringing the same values to
the rest of world sooner or later."
MWAI KIBAKI, KENYAN
PRESIDENT
"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots.
Your victory is not only an inspiration to millions of people all over the
world, but it has special resonance with us here in Kenya."
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, EUROPEAN
COMMISSION PRESIDENT
"We need to change the current crisis into a new
opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the
leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces
with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the
benefit of the world."
ANGELA
MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR
"I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on
your historic victory in the presidential election. The world faces significant
challenges at the start of your term. I am convinced that Europe and the United
States will work closely and in a spirit of mutual trust together to confront
new dangers and risks and will seize the opportunities presented by our global
world."
TARO ASO, JAPANESE PRIME
MINISTER
"The Japan-US alliance is key to Japanese diplomacy and it is
the foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. With
president-elect Obama, I will strengthen the Japan-US alliance further and work
towards resolving global issues such as the world economy, terror and the
environment."
KGALEMA MOTLANTHE,
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT
"Africa, which today stands proud of your
achievements, can only but look forward to a fruitful working relationship with
you both at a bilateral and multilateral levels in our endeavour to create a
better world for all who live in it."
STEPHEN HARPER, CANADIAN PRIME
MINISTER
"I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we
can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the
United States."
KEVIN RUDD,
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER
"Senator Obama's message of hope is not just
for America's future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A
world which is now in many respects fearful for its future."
HELEN CLARK, NEW ZEALAND PRIME
MINISTER
"Senator Obama will be taking office at a critical juncture.
There are many pressing challenges facing the international community, including
the global financial crisis and global warming. We look forward to working
closely with president-elect Obama and his team to address these challenges."
SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO,
INDONESIAN PRESIDENT “
Indonesia especially hopes that the US, under
new leadership, will stand in the front and take real action to overcome the
global financial crisis, especially since the crisis was triggered by the
financial conditions in the US"
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, PHILIPPINE
PRESIDENT
"We welcome his triumph in the same vein that we place the
integrity of the US electoral process and the choices made by the American
people in high regard. We likewise note the making of history with the election
of Senator Obama as the first African-American president of the United States."
ALI AGHAMOHAMMADI, CLOSE AIDE TO
IRAN'S MOST POWEFUL FIGURE AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI
"The president-elect
has promised changes in policies. There is a capacity for the improvement of
ties between America and Iran if Obama pursues his campaign promises, including
not confronting other countries as Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also
concentrating on America's state matters and removing the American people's
concerns."
SAEB EREKAT, AIDE TO
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS
"We hope the president-elect in the
United States will stay the course and would continue the US engagement in the
peace process without delay. We hope the two-state vision would be transferred
from a vision to a realistic track immediately."
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL BLUE
HOUSE
"We believe the election of Obama is due to the American people's
support for his message of new change and hope."
PAKISTANI EMBASSY IN
WASHINGTON
"Pakistan president (Asif Ali) Zardari expresses the hope that
Pakistan-US relations will be enhanced under the new American leadership that
received a popular mandate in Tuesday's poll."
