World Applauds the American People

KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) – “I applaud the American people … and hope this election and President Obama’s coming into office will bring peace to Afghanistan,” President Hamid Karzai told a news conference.

During his election campaign, Obama was critical of Karzai over his failure to tackle widespread corruption, the booming trade in illegal opium and over the effectiveness of his government — all factors that fuel the Taliban insurgency.

But Obama pledged a new focus on Afghanistan, which analysts agree the Bush administration neglected by sending troops and vital resources to Iraq, giving the Taliban a chance to regroup and relaunch an insurgency that now threatens the capital.

“I’m glad Obama won. He’s young, he’s energetic, he’s spoken of the need to pay more attention to Afghanistan,” said women’s activist and radio station chief Jamila Mujahid. “Bush made a mistake by sending troops and resources to Iraq.”

Afghan officials called for more diplomatic effort to bring Afghanistan and Pakistan closer together to stamp out safe havens the Taliban enjoy on the rugged border between the two countries.

NEW STRATEGY?

Of several dozen Afghan officials, parliamentarians and influential journalists attending an election event in the country’s only five-star hotel, almost all backed Obama and the Illinois senator romped home in a mock poll of those present.

But no one in Afghanistan underestimates the size of the task ahead for the new U.S. administration in tackling the country’s complex, formidable problems and ending 30 years of conflict.

Soj’s diary – What the Rest of the World Is Saying about the Election

TOKYO – In city squares and living rooms, ballrooms and villages, the citizens of the world cheered the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, ratcheting up hopes that America’s first black commander in chief would herald a more balanced, less confrontational America.

People crowded before TVs or listened to blaring radios for the latest updates. In Sydney, Australians filled a hotel ballroom. In Rio, Brazilians partied on the beach. In the town of Obama, in Japan, dancers cheered in delight when their namesake’s victory was declared.

People the world over — many of them in countries where the idea of a minority being elected leader is unthinkable — expressed amazement and satisfaction that the United States could overcome centuries of racial strife and elect an African-American — and one with Hussein as a middle name — as president.

“What an inspiration. He is the first truly global U.S. president the world has ever had,” said Pracha Kanjananont, a 29-year-old Thai sitting at a Starbuck’s in Bangkok. “He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name. He is a truly global president.”