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U.S. Election: World Reaction Round-Up

November 05, 2008 1:04 PM

The world woke up to a new president of the United States this morning and for the most part rejoiced. “Change Has Come” headlines proclaimed “America has made an historic choice.” To quote one Italian television commentator Barack Obama “encapsulates the whole American dream in one person." An election watched by the world like no other now has a president-elect like no other. America will have its first black president. ABC News asked some of its reporters around the world how this news is playing out in their regions.

ISRAEL

Both of Israel’s leading newspapers proclaim the future president.

Maariv carries the simple headline “He Has a Dream” echoing the words of Martin Luther King.

Yedioth Aharanot’s front page banner is even simpler: “Mr President.”

Most Israelis woke up this morning full of enthusiasm about President-elect Barack Obama.

Israel’s relationship with America is the ultimate special relationship. Who leads America is of critical interest to Israelis. They have been following the campaign closely.

Most Israelis have been captivated by Obama’s charisma, his youthfulness and skills of communication. Many say they wish they had a politician like him here. Israelis will be voting in their own elections Feb. 10 -- they are tired of seeing the same old faces and of political corruption.

During the long campaign the majority of Israelis and their political commentators have become convinced that a President Obama will not compromise on Israel’s main preoccupation, security.

If there are reservations, they concern his apparent desire to engage with America’s enemies in the Middle East.

He has said he will talk with Iran about its nuclear ambitions. This makes some Israelis nervous. A nuclear Iran is their No. 1 fear and despite today’s euphoria some here will be wondering if the future  president will be tough enough on Tehran.

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert congratulated Obama, saying, “Once again, America has proven that it is, indeed, the greatest democracy and constitutes an example for all other democracies in the world. President-elect Obama has proven his leadership and his talents to the entire world.”

And despite some Israelis’ reservations about Obama’s policy on Iran, Prime Minister Olmert said that he had “no doubt that the special relations that prevail between the two countries will continue to strengthen during the Obama administration.”

IRAQ

Obama's stance on Iraq has been a cornerstone of his campaign. He wants to bring troops home within the first 16 months of his presidency. This policy made headlines earlier this year after Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki appeared to use this plan of a 2010 troop withdrawal during his negotiations with the Bush administration. Many interpreted this as an oblique endorsement of the then presidential candidate by Maliki. 

But this does not mean all will be plain sailing between Maliki and Obama. The Iraqi prime minister is currently more concerned with playing to an internal audience and consolidating his power in upcoming local elections. Iraq’s state broadcaster, al Iraqia Television, which Maliki controls, did not carry any of the live coverage of the elections or even report the results in its regular morning broadcast.

Al Iraqia’s decision to ignore the American election is seen by some as a more calculated message from the government, designed to show that Iraq is truly a sovereign nation not the least bit concerned about who will lead the United States for the next four years.

Indeed, when asked their opinions about Barack Obama’s historic victory, many people in the streets of Baghdad on their way to work this morning had the same question: When will the Americans go home?

“The Iraqi people were hoping that Barack Obama would win the  U.S. presidential elections because Iraqis know that he issued orders to withdraw the troops. Iraqis are optimistic about this decision,” said one elderly gentleman wearing traditional dress.

But another man wasn’t hopeful for an immediate change in  U.S. policy: “Obama’s victory won’t change anything, because  U.S. interests in Iraq and the whole Middle East region are selfish.  U.S.  policy is all the same, whether its Barack or McCain.”

THE GULF

Across the Arab world, Obama has been the local favorite almost since the start of his campaign. News of his win was met with euphoria in the region, from street parties in Beirut to house parties in Abu Dhabi as people woke up to the news. Staff at a government office in Dubai said that among   themselves, they are calling Wednesday "anything can happen day."

"I woke up at 7  a.m.  to watch the results," said Reem Al Otaiba, 19, a student at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. "It was so exciting to see who won.... America has lived up to its name: the United States of America, united under one flag, no matter the race or color." 

Later in the morning, U.S. citizens took in congratulations from their Arab neighbors. "I had one from an Arab faculty member who said ' This is a good day for America, a good day for the world,' said Kenneth Starck, the dean of  communications and media sciences. He said that for the Middle East Obama's landslide win showed that 'our ballot box is our version of bloodless revolution. That's what it looks like from here -- bloodless revolution."

"Some 300 plus electoral votes did it. It changed how the world sees us," he added.

KENYA

Kenyans rejoice as their own "son of kogelo" was elected president of the United States.

When Kenyans today woke up to the news that Sen. Barack Obama had been elected the 44th president of the United States, many said it felt  like Christmas morning, and all their hopes and prayers had been answered. For a patriarchal society like Kenya the fact that Barack Obama's father was Kenyan was enough to declare him "one of theirs," and they've been following the election more closely than have many Americans.

Many Kenyans didn't wake up to find out the results -- they 'd stayed up all night watching them come in.

In Kogelo, the small village in western Kenya from which Obama's father's family hails, hundreds of villagers gathered under tents to watch a large screen broadcasting international news throughout the night. As Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia all went for Obama, they clapped and cheered. 

When morning came, however, the screen came down and many people who had stayed up all night went home. It took nearly a half hour after the announcement that Obama had won for Kogelo residents, who usually have no electricity and not a lot of access to television to realize what had happened. But once they did, they, and Kenyans across the country, began a celebration for the ages. President Mwai Kibaki has declared tomorrow a public holiday in honor of Barack Obama.

GREAT BRITAIN

There is a feeling of excitement in Britain, the United States' closest ally. Even before the results officially came in, the British Press was both confident and biased:  Headlines read  "Gobama!" (The Daily Mirror); "The History Man (The Independent); and "Obarmy Army" (The Sun).

Obama's victory is being especially heralded among the young in London. “Obama is an inspiration, especially as an orator. We can’t quite say what the effects will be for Britain yet, but it is a great change for America,” 23-year-old Alexandra Demper said.

Of course, not everyone is pleased with the result. An ex-police officer and current taxi driver told ABC News: “An amateur is now the most powerful person in the world. A salesman is all Obama is. He has no experience in foreign affairs.” 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent his "sincere congratulations" to Obama, who would be a "true friend to Britain."  Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition, David Cameron, said Obama's victory has restored America's status as a "beacon of hope."

GERMANY

It was in the early hours of Wednesday morning when news stations in Germany announced Obama’s “landslide victory” and politicians were quick to congratulate him.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated president-elect Obama on his “historic victory” assuring him, “My government is fully aware of the importance and the value of our transatlantic relationship” and she added that she “hoped Obama would soon visit Germany.”

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also congratulated Obama. “America has voted for change, both in domestic and foreign politics. I’m very much looking forward to work together with the new president and the two countries are going to tackle global challenges together.”

President Horst Köhler, Germany’s largely ceremonial head of state, sent Obama a telegram in the early hours of the morning to assure him “he could count on Berlin to be a reliable partner and a long-time friend.”

Most TV stations had offered live coverage all night long for those interested in the election outcome.

Mainstream politicians clearly reflected what most Germans had been hoping for – a clear victory.

Germany has long been considered Obama-mania country. In July over 200,000 people had flocked to the Siegessäule (Victory column) in Berlin to hear Obama speak. It was the largest crowd ever that came to listen to a political speech.

American-German relations had been on an all-time low since the war in Iraq and many Germans have been disappointed by the Bush administration, more than anything they’re now hoping for a new beginning and change.

The president-elect is seen as a politician who may well lack experience in foreign politics, but most Germans see him as the man who can change things, especially when it comes to U.S.-German relations.

ITALY

Italians seemed a bit bewildered this morning as they took in the U.S. election results but all seemed impressed with the outcome. "This is real democracy!" they said as they drank their coffees and cappuccinos and shook hands and thanked the only American who happened to be present in the bar. Many had watched Obama's victory speech this morning before they left home (it aired live before 5  a.m. Italian time).

Most didn't seem sure about how Obama as president would or could change things for them but were relieved that this marked the end of the Bush era.

"Of course it affects me," said Filippo at his newsstand this morning as he happily handed out papers with Obama on all the front pages. "This is change! Not like that Bush...oh mamma mia!"

Marina Moll, who works for an international humanitarian organization said she was "over the moon."  She didn't stay up all night, but she was very excited today. Like many Italians, she acknowledged McCain's stamina and battling spirit and said she felt sorry for McCain, but "I think there have been enough Republicans."

The first editions of most papers were prepared a good six hours before Obama's victory was announced, so some were cautious in the headlines.

The leading center-left paper La Repubblica led with a half-page photo of Obama speaking to the crowds. The headline read, “Obama Heads to the White House,” with the story continuing, “A night of battle with McCain, change in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The projections give the Democratic candidate the key states. Record lines outside the voting booths: 130 million voters slow down the counting.”

The other leading center-left daily Corriere della Sera described “Obama's long night.  First results show Barack in large advantage.  McCain hangs on in his states.”

The left-wing paper L'Unita filled its front page with a black-and-white photo of Obama kissing his daughter Sasha and the headline "The Dream." 

Another left-wing paper Il Manifesto showed a photo of the White House on its front page with a headline "Guess who's coming to dinner,” echoing the 1967 Oscar-winning movie that tackled the then-controversial subject of interracial marriage.

Center-right papers reflected some Italians' concern about race being a factor in these elections.

 

IL Giornale’s headline read "The world has a new emperor. It’s the end of the uncertainty.  The U.S. has chosen who will lead them into the future. The polls show: It will be a black's turn."

One commentator on television this morning summed up the mood among many Italians, saying: "While the rest of the world is questioning America's supremacy as world leader, Americans elect a true postmodern politician, one who encapsulates the whole American dream in one person."

MOSCOW

The mood on the chilly streets of Moscow is the same today as it is most days, with some Russians pleased to hear that Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States but most ambivalent to the news. The Russian headlines read “America Opens Itself” and “America Made a Historical  Choice” but for most Russians, America is still regarded with mistrust, irrespective of its leader.

According  to a poll taken by the Levada Center just before the U.S. election, 27 percent of Russians said that if they were voting for the  U.S. president they would vote for Obama, 15 percent said that they would choose McCain, 29 percent saod it was hard to say and 29  percent  said that they wouldn’t vote for either of them. This poll clearly shows that Russians favor Obama, seeing McCain as an agent of the deeply unpopular President Bush. As Russia’s Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said, "His election is a choice in favor of a younger and more modern America, which is now completely disappointed in George W. Bush's policy resulting in extremely hard times for the country's economy, in which a financial crisis is raging.”

What the poll also shows, however, is that most Russians are very skeptical of the  United States  and of Russia’s future relations with America. Svetlana, a cleaning lady in Moscow, told ABC News, “I can’t really say that I am happy or sad that Obama won, we still have so many problems with America.”

In the last few years, relations between Russia and the  U.S. have worsened.  U.S. plans for a missile defense system to be built on Russia’s doorstep, as well as NATO’s continued expansion into the former Soviet Union,  have convinced many Russians that the  U.S.  poses a threat to Russia. After the war in South Ossetia this August in which the  U.S.  was a staunch ally of Georgia, this deep mistrust was cemented. 

For many Russian politicians and intellectuals, Obama’s election gives room for cautious optimism. As Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said, "The incoming news about the American elections show that there is every reason to expect the U.S. to update its approach toward all the key problems, including foreign policy problems, and of course, relations with Russia.  "We expect this freshness in relations will give us more ideas regarding constructive interaction in confronting new challenges and threats of the 21st century."

Russia’s leadership will now be watching very closely to see what Obama’s first moves toward Russia will be.

PAKISTAN

He may be the son of a Muslim but in Pakistan, a nuclear nation on the front lines of the war on terror, most working-class people are skeptical that President Barack Obama will change deeply controversial U.S. policies here.

"It really didn’t matter whether it was McCain or Obama. It was going to be the same policies implemented," said 38-year-old Mohammad Fasil Aziz.

Among others, however, especially among the elite, there is hope that Obama will focus more on economic development than on CIA drone attacks inside Pakistan.

"There’s a belief that Obama will certainly pursue policies that will move the United States away from the policies pursued by the Bush  administration," said Tariq Fatmi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. "Redirect the relationship towards one of economic engagement, support for people-oriented programs. Present America as a promoter of good rather than a messenger of death and destruction."

But the U.S. ambassador here, in a rare TV interview today, predicted Obama would not drastically change anything.

“I think any president, any new president, would follow the same policy toward Pakistan,” Anne Patterson told Dawn News. “And the policy will be that the United States is committed to a long-term relationship with Pakistan, we want to see a stable and a prosperous Pakistan. So I don’t think our policy toward Pakistan will change very much."

Even the most skeptical here are hoping that Obama proves her wrong.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed Barack Obama’s victory in the U.S. polls with a warning that the U.S.-led war on terror cannot be won by bombing Afghan villages.

In a press conference hours after the Obama victory was announced, Karzai told reporters in Kabul that the war should be fought not in Afghanistan, but should be fought where the roots of terrorism lie.

“The war in terror is not in villages of Afghanistan, and it is not in our country. Our country is a victim of terrorism,  and our demand is not to see more civilian casualties,” said Karzai.

Karzai reiterated that the Afghans had two main demands from the new  U.S. leadership: to stop killing civilians and to "take the fight to where the training centers and the resources of the terrorists are," a reference to Pakistan’s tribal regions.

The president also said that he did not favor the deployment of fresh troops in more areas in Afghanistan as a means of controlling the insurgency.

He noted that no foreign force can enter Afghanistan without the permission of Afghans.

During his presidential campaign, Obama had vowed to send more troops to Afghanistan if elected.

Today, Karzai said that if new troops are to be sent to Afghanistan, they should be deployed on a border with other countries in order to prevent cross-movement of militants and drug trafficking.

This year Afghanistan has seen several deadly attacks on civilians by foreign forces, causing hundreds of fatalities.

INDIA

During recent elections, India has been pro-Republican, in part due to economics, including free trade agreements. In addition, India has appreciated what it believes is the party's tough stance on terrorism. But during this election, Indians shifted gears: Young Indians in particular came out in support of Obama.

Balaji Venkat, a business analyst in Bangalore, helped to start one of India's first Obama fan clubs. The group raised money for a president  who inspired them but for whom they could not even vote.

"It's going to be for the better of the world," the 36-year-old said. "He is going to bring peace, eliminate terrorism and he'll shape Indo-American relationships. And he'll solve the financial crisis we are facing right now."

After Obama was declared the winner, several fans of the president-elect echoed a similar thought: Yes, John McCain's Indo-American economic policies may be better for India, but Obama's policies are better for the entire world.

"His views are against outsourcing, but, on the whole, we should not be selfish about our country," said 17-year-old Aditi Juneja. "Thinking on the whole, he’ll be stopping the war in Iraq. And that’s the main thing that I think is the best about him."

Fuma Pathy, a health development worker, put it simply: "We were waiting," she said,  "and America delivered. It’s such a great, amazing feeling!"

INDONESIA

In Indonesia, Barack Obama dominated local newspaper headlines months before election results were  announced. 

Former childhood classmates, teachers and friends have followed his career and have waited for this emotional moment for a long, long time. 

Rully Dasaad refers to the  president-elect, his third-grade classmate, as Barry. “In the last few days the phone [has been] ringing day and night, asking about this and that,” he said, exhausted from his own grass-roots campaign efforts.  “But now I’m speechless. I’m very grateful.  Thank god for him that finally he reached, achieved, what he’s been seeking all this time. Good luck Barry!”

“After a long long rally of campaign, he did it,” said  another classmate Dewi Asmara Oetoyo. “We are so happy for him and his family,  and also we are so proud of him.”

There is a hope here in Indonesia that Obama  would help bridge the gap between the two countries and cultures.

“I believe Obama would be able to restore the trust, the confidence, the hope, of Indonesians toward   Americans,” said Todung Mulya Lubis, CEO of Transparency International Indonesia. “This is a really good and historical moment, for both countries.”

CHINA

Ordinary Chinese reacted to the U.S. election with a combination of curiosity and indifference. In Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where you meet tourists from all over China, several people we spoke to had a vague recollection of the name “Obama” from reading newspapers but didn’t know that he won the presidential election.

Some Chinese who don’t normally follow U.S. politics, have been observing Obama and feel his race helps him relate to “ordinary” people.

“It will have a big impact on the world,” said Mr. Liu, who declined to give his full name. “It’s just like we Chinese people electing a farmer as a leader.”

At Beijing Foreign Studies University, a group of postgraduate students watched election coverage on CNN, as the satellite signal went in and out. A show of hands revealed that all but two of the 30 students supported  Obama. His victory seems to have affirmed for many Chinese that opportunities for people from different races and backgrounds abound in the U.S.

“The biggest American dream is the Obama-style miracle,” wrote a blogger on Chinese website Sina.com.

“In the old days, I think white Americans couldn’t accept a black American as president,” said postgraduate student Cong Peng Fei. “This is progress.”

Xu Qing said she was “joyful” about the Obama win. “We can say that because it shows everybody has opportunities in the United States.”

In a one-party state, where people do not have the right to elect their national leaders, American-style democracy is not well understood among the majority of Chinese. The university students who have been following the election expressed that, although they were inspired by Obama, observing the election did not necessarily make them desire dramatic democratic reform in their own country.

“Chinese don’t think the same  as American people do because of the long history of Confucianism,” said Cong. “We are not suited to that type of election. I think China should promote democracy step-by-step according to its own situation.”

From global warming to the financial crisis, America’s fate is increasingly intertwined with China’s. President Bush built a strong, friendly relationship with China, and with the change in administration, Chinese officials face a period of uncertainty.

“I think every new  U.S.  president deals with relations with China differently,” said Wu Jian Yu. “I think maybe [Obama] will do something new, but U.S. and China relations will be better.”

Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated the president-elect, writing “China and the United States share broad common interests and important responsibilities on a wide range of major issues concerning the well-being of humanity. To grow long-term healthy and stable Chinese -U.S.  relations serves the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples and is of great significance to the maintenance and promotion of peace, stability and development in the world.”

JAPAN

Japanese learned about the new U.S.  president a little after noon Wednesday local time. Although it was another midweek workday for most Japanese, many paid close attention to the election results.

The national public broadcaster NHK carried live updates throughout the day with correspondents reporting from the United States. Other commercial stations carried out similar broadcasts.

Tokyo businessman Masahide Osakada said he found out the results during lunch break. “I was very curious about the results,  and I wanted to get them as soon as possible,” said a 37-year-old employee of a trading firm. “I want Mr. Obama to work on getting the country’s economy right back on track. The recent financial turmoil originated in the United States,  and I want him to get to it immediately to minimize the damage and to start the repair work.”

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso issued a congratulatory statement early Wednesday afternoon in which he pledged to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and “to resolve various challenges the international community faces” such as “the international economy, terrorism and the environment.”

The Obama speech and rhetoric seemed to have spread positive feelings even outside the United States. “His speech was heart warming,” said Fusae Asano, a 64-year-old homemaker. “Through his speech, I get this idea that he wants all of us to unite, it is one world and we are all one. Although he will be the president of a foreign country, his speech made me cry.”

SOUTH KOREA

South Korean media is describing Barack Obama’s victory as a “black revolution” and a “black victory.”  Headlines here read: “Black eagle has spread his wings” and “America begins a new era of a black president.”

Young Koreans cheered for Obama because they believe he represents liberalism. Chung Han-Ho, a 24-year-old student, told ABC News that “I have high hopes for him. He will put an end to racism around the world.”

But South Korean leaders sit uncomfortably because of Obama’s stance on diplomatic and trade issues with the two Koreas.

South Korea is waiting for the U.S.  Congress to ratify the FTA (free trade agreement) but during his campaign Obama has said that he opposes the deal as it stands, claiming that it was ‘badly flawed’ and gives U.S. automakers too little access to the South Korean market. According to the head of Obama's Korea policy team, Frank Jannuzi, Obama is fundamentally pro-free trade but believes that the pact needs to be ratified with proper safeguards.

Denuclearization of North Korea is another big issue  that  needs to be addressed. Obama mentioned that he would meet Kim Jong-Il in person for direct talks  -- a meeting  that  North Korea has long wanted but which the Bush administration has ignored. But the prospect of direct talks is not welcomed by the conservative South Korean government, which believes that it would only increase the unpredictability in North-South relations and might even relegate South Korea to the sidelines.

However, South Korea has high hopes for Joe Biden’s vice presidential term, because of Biden’s long-standing interest in Korean affairs.

Despite the government’s worries about Obama, ordinary South Koreans were not too concerned. Kim Hwan-Soo, a 75-year-old retiree, said that “Things will get a bit more complicated and prolonged as Obama tries to get a hold of foreign policy. But I’m not too worried.”

Choi Sukyong, a 55-year-old professor even said that “Obama and Kim Jong-Il should meet first, face-to-face. That should be the first step to negotiation. Until now, the six party talks just floated without going anywhere. It’s about time that we put an end to this. And if Obama has that kind of spirit to put an effort to meet the North Korean leader, I’m sure we will finally see the end of a tunnel.”

For its part, North Korea has not said anything against Obama, in a turnaround from its usual treatment of U.S. presidential candidates. Choi Sukyong said this was a good sign and hoped that it would mean a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis.

At an American Embassy sponsored event, 2008 Election Watch Open House, hundreds of Koreans  --  students, professors and members of the general public  interested in American politics  --  showed up to watch the results. The venue was decorated to give a sense of an American election campaign office, with doughnuts and coffee, campaign ribbons, "I voted" stickers, posters, charts and even a mock ballot box.

Aleem Agha, Joohee Cho, Margaret Conley, Dana Hughes, Ammu Kannampilly, Christel Kucharz, Zoe Magee, Matt McGarry, Simon McGregor-Wood, Noriko Namiki, Phoebe Natanson, Gabriel O’Rorke, Karen Russo, Nick Schifrin, Lara Setrakian, Stephanie Sy and Clarissa Ward contributed to this story.

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