Mixed Signals From Around the World
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan and EU Commission President Romano Prodi congratulated Bush outright. German Chancellor Gerhard Schröeder hoped to continue "good" relations and Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero spoke of entering a new period.
A world that had expressed its wish for Democrat Party presidential candidate Senator John F. Kerry to be sent to the White House was also disappointed. Casim Ali, a political analyst from Bahrain, said, "Perceiving the election result as an approval for his foreign policy, Bush may continue his mistakes." The German Newspaper, Bild, wrote: "Catch Laden, provide peace in Iraq, decrease oil prices."
Adviser to Iranian President Mohammed Khatemi, Ali Abtahi, said, "Despite his erroneous policies, the victory of Bush is preferable."
Although Irish Prime Minister Berty Ahern sent a congratulatory message, EU Higher Representative of Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana, said in a press release that the US and Europe face many significant problems and hoped they will continue to cooperate to achieve peace.
Despite the optimistic expectations that Bush’s policies will improve because he now knows the region, the majority thinks that four more years with Bush will cause more bloodshed and tears in the Middle East, the center of his foreign policy. The Editor of the Saudi Arabian newspaper, Arab News, said, "Saudis whom I have talked to feel disappointment. The fight against terrorism will continue. More innocent people will die. I cannot guess what will happen unless Bush changes his team." Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qurey clarified that Palestinians will cooperate with whoever becomes the president and demanded more effort be made by Bush to arrange a settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Nebil Saat said they hoped Bush would participate more in the peace process and allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend the negotiations.
The 7th President of the Turkish Republic, Kenan Evren, made one of the most interesting observations: "The US public wants to continue the war." People in Iraq who perceive Bush as a savior welcomed the result, but those who see him as an occupier reacted negatively. American Lieutenant Sarah Hope in Iraq said, "I will leave this country in December. I do not care who wins."
