Anxieties mute welcome from world leaders

Amid the formal congratulations from world leaders to US President-elect George W

Amid the formal congratulations from world leaders to US President-elect George W. Bush yesterday, anxieties were also heard about his competence and intentions in foreign policy, and about the legitimacy of his election. These were usually expressed anonymously by diplomats, but the French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, openly questioned Mr Bush's position.

The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, called Mr Bush yesterday to tell him that Britain would be a "good friend and support him and his administration".

"President-elect Bush said he was very aware of the special relationship between our two countries and said he was pleased that this was the first phone call with a foreign leader since being declared President-elect," a Downing Street spokesman said. From Havana, where he was an an official visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram, wishing Mr Bush "success in his important and responsible post." Mr Putin said he hoped to see "a strengthening of international security and strategic stability" in reference to the looming disagreement over US plans for missile defence.

In Paris, President Jacques Chirac said he hoped the "two countries would continue to assume their responsibilities on the international scene."

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But French Prime Minister Mr Lionel Jospin noted that there would "always be an uncertainty" about Mr Bush's victory. . . It would be good if this great country, this great democracy sorted out this question," he said.

In contrast, a particularly striking tribute came from German Chancellor Mr Gerhard Schroder. "The decisive contribution of the United States under the leadership of your father to German reunification is firmly anchored in the conscience of Germans," he said.

European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi sent Mr Bush a letter of "warmest congratulations". But EU diplomats said European defence policy could suffer under a Bush administration opposed to EU autonomy from NATO.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said Mr Bush's election was good news. "Definite. Do not forget that his father started the Madrid conference," he said, referring to the 1991 conference where Israelis and Palestinians first launched peace negotiations. Mr Bush is seen by many Palestinians as less pro-Israel than Vice-President Gore, and it is widely believed that his links to the oil industry may make him a closer friend of other Arab nations.

In Israel, the Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, reminded Mr Bush that "similar values and joint interests have characterised US-Israeli relations for decades."

Politicians in Bosnia and Kosovo made clear that they were counting on Mr Bush to continue America's leading role in international efforts to stabilise the Balkans.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin offered "warm congratulations" to Mr Bush, although the prospect of a Bush presidency has caused concern in Beijing because of his support for arch-rival Taiwan, seen by China as a breakaway province. Taiwan's President Chen Shuibian also cabled congratulations.

In Pretoria, the South African government used the opportunity to remind Mr Bush of the US role in fighting global poverty and war, and in promoting development initiatives in Africa.

Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso called for co-operation and dialogue with Washington.