World leaders congratulate Blair on re-election

Tony Blair’s European colleagues mixed hearty election victory congratulations with birthday greetings today as the British Prime Minister celebrated winning an historic third term, while Asian and South Pacific leaders lauded him for overcoming opposition to the war in Iraq.

“Dear Tony,” wrote French President Jacques Chirac, who led European opposition to the Iraq war but omitted the topic from a letter of congratulations. Chirac said he was “delighted” to continue working with Blair on critical tasks like European Union integration.

Chirac and other European leaders pledged to work alongside Blair, during Britain’s presidency this year of the G8 and the 25-nation EU.

“It is with great pleasure that I send you my warmest congratulations for your new victory,” Chirac said, adding a handwritten afterthought to the typed note: “And also, Happy Birthday my dear Tony, and my affection to all your family.”

Blair’s victory coincided with his 52nd birthday today.

More birthday wishes came from German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, another staunch opponent of the war, who “heartily” congratulated Blair’s victory.

“With your re-election, you have given yourself the best birthday present possible,” Schroeder wrote. “I wish you from my heart much success, luck and personal well-being.”

Focusing on the future and the need for unity was also the message from the European Union’s head office, which kept a strictly neutral stance during Europe’s internal divide over Iraq.

“I look forward to working together to address the crucial challenges ahead of us,” said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, noting that Britain assumes the six-month rotating presidency of the EU on July 1.

“Our close co-operation is indispensable to the success of the European Union,” he added.

With Blair’s re-election, the EU keeps an “important partner” in meeting the tough challenges ahead, said Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson. He praised the British government’s commitment “to expand the EU with new members, to fight poverty in the world and to prevent climate changes.”

Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero sent Blair a message of congratulations, saying “the Spanish government is willing to continue and to strengthen bilateral relations.”

Zapatero withdrew Spain’s troops from Iraq after winning election a year ago and has yet to hold talks with US President George Bush.

He told Blair: “The needs of international society and, in particular the European Union, make it even more necessary… that our two nations should work together and in complete co-ordination.”

Blair’s victory made him the third leader to be returned to office after sending troops to invade Iraq in 2003, following Australian Prime Minister John Howard and US President Bush.

Howard said he called Blair to congratulate him on becoming the first British Labour leader to win three terms.

“My natural sympathies in British politics of course do lie with the other side, the Conservatives, and I wish them well,” said Howard, leader of the centre-right Liberal Party.

“But I have long regarded Mr. Blair’s courage on the issue of Iraq as displaying strong leadership. He had to fight very strong opposition within his own ranks and the steadfastness and commitment he displayed on that issue certainly impressed me.”

New Zealand’s Labour Party Prime Minister Helen Clark said through a spokesman that: “The war in Iraq has clearly been a divisive issue” for Britain. But despite the division, she added, the British Labour Party “has delivered strong and stable government.”

However, the Labour majority this time around is expected to be around 64 seats – an apparent punishment for the Iraq troop deployment – raising questions about Blair’s future.

“There has been a distinct vote against Blair – and the question is whether he is already a lame duck leader,” said Jeff Gamlin, a political analyst in New Zealand.

In Pakistan, Syed Munawar Hassan, leader of radical Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami, condemned the British people for returning Blair to office, saying they had sanctioned the war and had enlisted their “names among the oppressors and killers of Muslims.”

Thailand’s government said Britain’s growing economy outweighed negative sentiment over the Iraq war.

“The results of the election came out as expected with the British people still supporting Prime Minister Tony Blair for his efforts at improving the economy,” said spokesman Chalermdej Chopoonut.

“The British people have given priority to an improving economy rather than the Iraq War.”

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga also sent congratulations to Blair, saying they looked forward to continued co-operation with Britain, according to statements issued by their offices.

South Africa’s foreign ministry today welcomed Mr Blair’s re-election.

“We have a good friend in the British government,” Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad told journalists.

He said South Africa wanted to deepen relations with Britain – its biggest economic and investment partner – during President Thabo Mbeki’s second and final term in office. And he hailed Blair for promoting the African agenda and giving developing countries like South Africa a role in the run-up to the G-8 meeting this July.

He said the war in Iraq – which South Africa opposed – was most likely responsible for Blair’s reduced parliamentary majority.

“Obviously the Iraq situation has had some impact, and they (the government) will have to understand the will of the people is determined by such issues,” Pahad said.