On November 2nd, the American people spoke out in greater numbers than they have in four decades and re-elected George W. Bush as their President, writes James C. Kenny
Faced with a choice of two superbly qualified candidates who campaigned hard and offered them clear choices over a wide range of issues, they chose Mr Bush to lead them for a second term. If there is one word that best describes this result, it is probably "clarity", for that is what we now have and that is what makes this election good for Americans and good for the world. This is why Ireland also won on November 2nd.
Thanks to a very close election in 2000, and the intricacies of our electoral college system, there was a lack of clarity for many people about our choice of president, but that issue has now been swept away. This time around, the American people gave their president a clear mandate to continue with the strong leadership he has shown both at home and abroad.
This election was followed very closely in the Irish media and seemingly every nuance of the campaign was examined in detail. Now that the election is over, and the people have spoken, I want to give you five reasons why America's choice is also good for Ireland.
First, the President's clear mandate means continuity. The President's commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism and making America safe will continue to resonate around the world. Having dislodged the Taliban regime from Afghanistan, and continuing to press hard in Iraq to banish foreign fighters and Baathist elements, the President's vision of building democracy throughout the Arab and Islamic world is being realised - and the entire world will ultimately benefit.
Among many successes in this effort, the people of Afghanistan have chosen their own leader for the first time in their 5,000-year history, and the people of Iraq will be able to do so in January 2005. Women and young girls can now freely attend school in Afghanistan and serve in government; in Iraq, women helped draft a law that is a model for protecting women's rights, and six women serve in the cabinet. Although anti-democratic elements continue to fight to reverse these gains, we are determined to stay the course until this mission is complete and the Iraqi people are able to enjoy the full fruits of their liberation from the Saddam Hussein regime.
As part of promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, President Bush is committed to a separate Palestinian state. In his first press conference after being re-elected, President Bush reiterated this commitment to a two-state solution when he said, "I meant it when I said it and I mean it now." This is what I mean by continuity and commitment. And when democracy and freedom win out in the Middle East, the whole world will be much safer.
Second, the President is committed to the Transatlantic Partnership and wants to increase international co-operation. In that same press conference, speaking about the war on terrorism and working with America's allies, President Bush said, "Whatever our past disagreements, we share a common enemy. And we have common duties: to protect our peoples and to confront disease and hunger and poverty in troubled regions of the world. I'll continue to reach out to our friends and allies, our partners in the EU and NATO, to promote development and progress, to defeat the terrorists and to encourage freedom and democracy as alternatives to tyranny and terror."
We appreciate very much the good efforts that the Defence Forces of Ireland have put into peacekeeping and stability operations in support of UN efforts. Irish efforts in Africa, especially in Liberia and eastern Africa, are significant, as well as humanitarian efforts in support of the UN. The United States looks forward to continuing this cooperation in the years ahead, in full respect of Ireland's neutrality.
Third, President Bush, like Ireland, is committed to free trade. The Boeing/Airbus issue is one such example. European taxpayers are supporting expensive and unnecessary subsidies that should have been phased out by now. Our suit in the WTO, if we win, will be a victory for European taxpayers and ultimately force Airbus to be more competitive and cost-efficient. Likewise, US action to rescind through Congress the Foreign Sales Corporation tax regime, in compliance with WTO requirements, demonstrates our good faith and co-operative spirit in working through international organisations to promote free and fair trade.
Ireland's influence within the EU on business and transatlantic trade and investment issues was recognised by the President during the US-EU summit in June. In a world dominated by free trade, in which protectionism is minimised, Irish companies will continue to find many opportunities to work with American partners in tapping the large European market.
Fourth, the quiet engagement of the President in the Northern Ireland talks and moving the Good Friday agreement forward has been very effective, without grabbing headlines. This administration has been a constant, effective presence in supporting the Irish and British governments and the parties in the North as they try to reach agreement, and will continue to do so.
High visibility does not necessarily equate with effectiveness, and we are engaged at the level our partners desire in these talks.
Finally, in his acceptance speech, President Bush reached out to those voters who did not vote for him, using words that should reassure our friends abroad that this is a leader who will bridge differences and reconcile disagreement. His words are relevant to everyone: "Reaching these goals will require the broad support of Americans ... So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent: to make this nation stronger and better I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one constitution and one future that binds us. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America."
On November 2nd, President Bush received more votes than any other US president in history. His victory is also a win for Ireland, and with four more years of strong Irish-American relations ahead of us and the continuity of clear, consistent leadership, Ireland and the rest of Europe will enjoy the fruits of President Bush's mandate as we move forward into a new stage of the Transatlantic Partnership.
James C. Kenny is the US ambassador to Ireland