International

A sign of hope for everyone: Mandela

Nelson Mandela

JOHANNESBURG: The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, welcomed Barack Obama’s victory as a sign of hope for everyone.

“Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place,” he said in a letter to Mr. Obama.

After 27 years in prison for his struggle against white rule, Mr. Mandela emerged an icon of racial reconciliation. He was elected President in South Africa’s first all-race elections in 1994.

Mr. Mandela told Mr. Obama he expected him to “make it the mission of your presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere. We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream of making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown lauded Mr. Obama for his “inspirational campaign” and said he was looking forward to engage with him.

Nicolas Sarkozy

“Barack Obama, the Democratic Senator ran an inspirational campaign, energising politics with his progressive values and his vision for the future,” he said in a statement. “The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is vital to our prosperity and security.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Mr. Obama on his “brilliant victory”. “I give you my warmest congratulations and, through me, those of all French people,” he told Mr. Obama in a letter.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao congratulated Mr. Obama on his election.

Hu Jintao

“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 sustain long-term healthy and stable China-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,” Mr. Hu said.

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader termed the victory a sign of failure of President Bush’s policies. “The next U.S. President should abandon the course taken by President Bush and the American people have to change their policies in order to get rid of the quagmire that he created for them,” the former Parliament Speaker, Gholam-Ali Hadad-Adel, said. — Agencies.