What World Leaders Say

French President Jacques Chirac: Bush’s re-election will be a chance for the reinforcement of France-US friendship. The France-US partnership should continue within the framework of dialogue and mutual respect.

Russian President Vladimir Putin: President George W. Bush’s election victory proves that American people do not give in to terrorist threats. Bush has a strong character and is a foresighted partner.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder: We shall continue our good relations with the US. Maintaining cooperation with the US serves for all. What is urgent now is to revive and acquire a new dynamism for the Middle East peace plan.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer: We had good relations with the US administration for four years and they will continue next term as well.

Poland President Aleksander Kwasniewski: The possibility of cooperation with Bush is rather good news in terms of Poland’s interests.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: Whoever the new president may be, our close connections with the US will continue.

British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott: It seems that the American people made a concrete decision this time.

Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus: President George W. Bush proved that he is a true leader in hard times and American voters confirmed that in the election.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Salom: Neither Bush’s nor Kerry’s appointment as the US President will change our deep and close relations with this country.

Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik: The tension between Europe and the US increased in Bush’s period. We expect that the US President prefers to improve good relations with Europe.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Schaffer: I have no doubt that President George W. Bush will continue the US tradition of handling serious obligations and liabilities within the NATO. The NATO is the main bridge between the US and Europe.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: It is the beautiful side of democracy that John F. Kerry expressed his congratulations for his rival President George W. Bush. I hope the result serves for peace and friendship of humanity.