President Halonen interested in impact of US elections on Iraq
President Tarja Halonen says that she will be following with interest what kind of an impact the elections in the United States will have on the situation in Iraq and on US policy in general.
Halonen commented on the US Presidential elections on Wednesday morning before the victory of George W. Bush was certain.
"The situation in Iraq has been somewhat different from what the Americans thought that it would be, and in this respect, it would be good for the President, either Bush, or [John] Kerry to weigh these experiences."
Halonen characterised relations between Finland and the United States as stable and good. "In this respect we could have slept well as far as either candidate was concerned."
Halonen also urged the United States to consider possible changes to its election system, which, she felt, is "quite complicated".
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) emphasised on Wednesday morning that Finland will cooperate with the United States regardless of who becomes President.
He also urged Finns to emulate the political activism of American civic society. "People there clearly are not afraid of politics. Instead, they participate and declare their opinions openly."
Parliamentary Speaker and Social Democratic Party chairman Paavo Lipponen said that the election result leaves no room for speculation.
He also said that he expects that in its second term the Bush administration will take a more conciliatory attitude toward Europe. He added that he hopes for more constructive international cooperation in solving the Iraq problem.
Three Finnish Members of Parliament were among the observers of the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe who monitored the US elections in different parts of the country.
Eero Akaan-Penttilä (Nat. Coalition) was one of six OSCE observers in Cleveland, Ohio. He said that the tense atmosphere that preceded the elections had been wiped away on election day, and that the voting was calm and systematic.
Also serving as OSCE observers were Kimmo Kiljunen (SDP) in Florida and Miapetra Kumpula (SDP) in Ohio.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 4.11.2004 - TODAY |
 President Halonen interested in impact of US elections on Iraq |
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