President-elect Bush: The world reacts

LONDON, England -- There was widespread international relief that the U.S. presidential election has finally been decided.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent congratulations and best wishes to Republican George W. Bush soon after his victory was finally confirmed -- and his message was repeated by governments around the world.

However some concern was expressed at Bush's perceived lack of foreign-policy experience. Britain's tabloid Mirror newspaper printed a globe with an arrow pointing to Britain. "P.S. We are here" was their headline.

In a written message, Schroeder said he hoped to meet Bush soon to tend the countries' traditionally good bilateral relations and build on the legacy of Bush's father, who as U.S. president backed German reunification in 1990.

"The decisive contribution to the reunification of Germany that the U.S. made under your father's leadership is anchored deep in Germans' consciousness," Schroeder said.

"Today, our partnership is proving its worth as we face new challenges in a world that is growing together."

AUDIO Nato's General Secretary George Robertson welcomes the president- elect 142K/25 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Christiane Amanpour in London on European congratulations and concern 276K/50 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     ALSO Bush wins White House Analysis: Victory shakes Europe

Relations have been strained recently by differences over international efforts to protect the environment and outspoken German Government opposition to U.S. exploration of a missile defence system which is strongly backed by Bush.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Bush he hoped to strengthen the country's "special relationship" with the U.S. after what had been "a long and agonising wait for you."

"I'm very glad it is finally settled. I know that together we will strengthen still further the special friendship between Britain and the United States."

Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf -- whose name Bush once could not remember when interviewed -- also sent a congratulations message.

The country's President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar said: "Pakistan looks forward to working with the Bush administration for consolidation of friendly relations and for peace."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said: "No country could be more genuine than Australia in its desire that the U.S. continues to flourish under your presidency."

But The Australian newspaper said in an editorial that the protracted White House race had no winner, only losers.

In Asia, television programming was interrupted for live coverage of the concession speech by Vice President Gore after weeks of vote recounts in Florida and court battles about the disputed result.

Taiwan's cable news channel, TVBS, broadcast Gore's speech live as a reporter provided a simultaneous translation in Mandarin, followed by analysis of how Bush's victory would change U.S. politics with scenes of speeches and debates in which he mentioned Taiwan.

Of special interest was an earlier speech in which Bush had said that if China attacks Taiwan, the U.S. must come to the island's defence.

Ham Sung-duk, a political science professor at Korea University, said the sharply divided U.S. electorate and Congress, split nearly down the middle between Republicans and Democrats, could cause a change in U.S. policies toward North and South Korea.

Under President Bill Clinton, the U.S. persuaded North Korea to halt its long-range missile tests and supported the South's "sunshine policy" that began the long process of reconciling its many differences with the North across the world's most heavily armed border.

"Under President Bush, U.S.-North Korea relations may deteriorate because of his expected hard-line stance regarding North Korea's missile and nuclear issues. That, in turn, could adversely affect president Kim Dae-jung's sunshine policy," Ham said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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