Obama win sparks global praise, cheers

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called Barack Obama's election to the White House a unique chance to usher in a new era of American cooperation with the rest of the world.

"I am confident today about future relations between the United Nations and the United States. I am confident that we can look forward to an era of renewed partnership and a new multilateralism," he said.

Ban and other top diplomats were optimistic about the prospects for Obama's presidency marking a sharp departure from Republicans' wariness and sometimes disdain for the world body.

"If ever there were a time for the world to join together, it is now: the global financial crisis; the crisis of climate change; the challenge of fulfilling our promises" for reducing global poverty, disease and other pressing U.N. development goals, he said.

'Historic opportunity'
Ban said Obama's sweeping victory in Tuesday's U.S. elections represents "an historic opportunity" for the world body and all nations, not least the United States, which hosts the U.N.'s New York headquarters and is its single biggest donor nation.

"No country has a stronger stake in a strong United Nations," he said.

South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo said Obama's ascendancy marks an important turning point and demonstrates to all nations that democracy can work well.

"Clearly an Obama administration will be less ideological," he said. "We just are going to say to him, 'Bring that same spirit to resolving problems in Africa.' So it's a great day. ... We need the U.S. to come along with us — with more enthusiasm now."

Enthusiasm across the globe
In concert halls and ballrooms, in plazas and at beach parties, people across the globe hailed Barack Obama’s election as a stroke for racial equality and voiced hopes his presidency would herald a balanced, less confrontational America.

Throngs 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.

Observers — many 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 as president.

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“It shows that America truly is a diverse, multicultural society where the color of your skin really does not matter,” said Jason Ge, an international relations student at Peking University in China.

In an interconnected world where people in its farthest reaches could monitor the presidential race blow-by-blow, many observers echoed Obama’s own mantra as they struggled to put into words their sense that his election marked an important turning point.

“I really think this is going to change the world,” said Akihiko Mukohama, 34, the lead singer of a band that traveled to Obama, Japan, to perform at a promotional event for the president-elect. He wore an “I Love Obama” T-shirt.

Many acknowledged that — for better or worse — America’s economic, military and cultural might made the election globally important.

'Dare to dream'
Nelson Mandela, an international symbol of racial reconciliation and hope, was among the many around the world to congratulate Obama on his victory. South Africa's first black president said the election of America's first was a symbol of hope.

In a letter of congratulations released by his office Wednesday, Mandela said the Democrat's victory demonstrated that anyone can "dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place."

Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid struggle, and was elected president in the first all-race elections in 1994. He retired from politics after serving one five-year term.

The 90-year-old Mandela has increasingly withdrawn from public life, but has remained a respected figure in South Africa and beyond.

A slew of current leaders sent their congratulations to the president-elect, which is usual in the wake of such a victory. What marked a difference this election, however, was a thread of urgency that ran through the messages pouring in from around the world.

"Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future, it is also a message of hope for the world as well. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future," said Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Minister.

Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, called on Obama to address the current international crisis.

"We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal. For the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world," he said.

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