Celebrating Obama in Japan (above).
Taking a cue from the Huffington Post, who just posted a slide show of the covers of our nation’s newspapers this morning, I was curious about what world leaders were saying. Here’s a snapshot taken from Al Jezeera:
Afghanistan
Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, congratulated Obama on his US election victory, saying it took the world into a “new era”.
Pakistan
Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan’s prime minister, congratulated Obama on his victory, saying he hoped the Democrat would promote “peace and stability” in the region around Afghanistan.
“I hope that under your dynamic leadership, [the] United States will continue to be a source of global peace and new ideas for humanity,” he said in a statement, directed at Obama.
Israel (Above photo Jerusalem)
Israeli-US relations face “a bright future”, Ygal Palmor, a spokesman for Israel’s foreign ministry, said in reaction to Obama’s election to the White House.
Tzipi Livni, leader of the ruling Kadima party, recalled Obama’s visit to Israel in July and said that “the people of Israel felt he [Obama] is a man who is deeply committed to Israel’s security and peace”.
Palestinian Territories
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, congratulated Obama and urged him to speed up efforts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
“President Abbas congratulates US president-elect Barack Obama in his name and in the name of the Palestinian people and hopes he will speed up efforts to achieve peace, particularly since a resolution of the Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab conflict is key to world peace,” Nabil Abu Rudeina, Abbas’s spokesman, said.
Syria
Mohsen Bilal, Syria’s information minister, said on Wednesday that Damascus hopes Obama’s election will lead to changes in US foreign policies in the Middle East and boost the prospect of regional peace. Bilal said he hoped Obama’s win “will help change US policy from one of wars and embargos to one of diplomacy and dialogue,” the Syrian news agency SANA reported.
China
Hu Jintao, China’s president, congratulated Obama on his victory in the US presidential poll, saying a closer relationship btween the two nations would be “for the benefit of Chinese and American people, and people around the world”.
“In a new historical era, I look forward to … taking our bilateral relationship of constructive co-operation to a new level,” Hu said in a written message, according to a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry’s website.
Britain (Above photo: London)
Gordon Brown, the UK’s prime minister, congratulated Obama, hailing his “energizing politics … his progressive values and his vision for the future.
India (Above photo: New Delhi)
India’s ruling Congress party hailed Obama’s victory, saying his “youthful energy” was in tune with the energy of emerging India.
“Obama represents youthful energy, exuberant dynamism and a forward-looking progressive mindset which is also the spirit animating India,” Abhishek Manu Singhvi, spokesman for India’s Congress party, said.
France
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, congratulated Obama on a “brilliant victory”.
“I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people,” Sarkozy told the Democratic candidate in a letter made public by the French presidency.
“Your brilliant victory rewards a tireless commitment to serve the American people. It also crowns an exceptional campaign whose inspiration and exaltation have proved to the entire world the vitality of American democracy. By choosing you, the American people have chosen change, openness and optimism,” he wrote.
“At a time when all of us must face huge challenges together, your election raises great hope in France, in Europe and elsewhere in the world.”
South Africa
Kgalema Motlanthe, South Africa’s president, congratulated Obama on his presidential victory, saying Africa “stood proud” and looked forward to a fruitful working relationship.
“Your election … carries with it hope for millions of your countrymen and women as much as it is for millions of people of … African descent both in the continent of Africa as well as those in the diaspora,” he said.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black leader, also congratulated Obama, saying that Obama’s election as US president showed that anybody could dream to change the world.
“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” Mandela wrote in a letter to Obama.
The 90-year-old Mandela applauded Obama’s commitment to support global peace and said he trusted that combatting poverty and disease would become the mission of Obama’s presidency.
“We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead,” said Mandela.
“We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream [of] making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.”
Somalia
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the president of transitional Somali government, voiced hope that Obama would help end conflict in the world.
“I am congratulating Barack Obama for his election as the president of United States of America,” Yusuf said in a statement released by his spokesman.
“I am hopeful that he will help end major crises in the world, particulary the endless conflict in my country Somalia. This was an historic election in which a proper leader was elected. This is a great moment for America and Africa.”
Japan
Taro Aso, the Japanese prime minister, offered his “heartfelt congratulations” to Obama, pledging to work with the new leader to strengthen relations.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Senator Obama on his election as President of United States of America,” Aso said in a statement.
“I will strive to further strengthen the Japan-US alliance and to resolve various challenges the international community faces when addressing issues such as the international economy, terrorism and the environment.”
The Philippines
Gloria Arroyo, the Philippines’ president, congratulated Barack Obama for winning the US presidential election.
“We wish to express our profound congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama for his historical and stellar win as the 44th president of the United States,” Lorelei Fajardo, a spokesman for Arroyo, said in a statement.
“America has always been the bastion of democracy and the world has always looked to the USA for direction. Obama has promised change and the American people and the world await these changes. We look forward to greater co-operation between the USA and the Philippines, the Democrats have always been good allies.”
Australia (Above photo: Sidney)
Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister, praised Obama’s victory saying it was a testament to the strength of the US democratic system and was a message of hope not just for the United States but for the whole world.
“Twenty-five years ago Martin Luther King [the US civil right activist] had a dream of an America where men and women would be judged not on the colour of their skin but on the content of their character,” Rudd told said.
“Today what America has done is turn that dream into a reality. A world which is in many respects fearful for its future.”
