COMING TO GRIPS WITH REALITY
Editorial de
Por su interés y relevancia, he seleccionado el editorial que sigue para incluirlo en este sitio web. (L. B.-B.)
The
editorial reaction of prominent European newspapers to the U.S. election ranged
from mildly hopeful to sweeping denial of reality. Thus far, most seem to be
taking a grimly realistic approach.
Many newspapers highlighted the need for bridging the trans-Atlantic divide
and tempering a West vs. West cultural clash of civilizations. Some editorials
expressed scorn for the American people's decision to re-elect President Bush.
More prevalent, however, was a kind of mournful resignation. "We may not like
it. In fact, to tell the truth, we don't like it one bit. But if it isn't a
mandate, then the word has no meaning," said Britain's Guardian in an editorial.
"Mr. Bush has won fair (so far as we can see) and square. He and his country —
and the rest of the world — now have to deal with it."
That lament from the Guardian
contrasts with the hard-edged contempt of Britain's Daily Mirror, which asked in
a front-page banner headline: "How can 59,054,087 people be so dumb?" The
article described the election result as a "disaster" and predicted "war more
years."
France's Le Monde, meanwhile, suggested that the global struggle against
terrorism was little more than an electoral device. The election, it said, was
"all about President Bush's 'world war on terror,' a concept he has managed to
impose as a new mindset."
Germany's Der Tagesspiegel, meanwhile, saw the U.S. election as a signal to
Europe to begin taking a more pragmatic approach to world affairs, stating:
"Europe should reconsider its ambitions, which seem naive, to act as a political
counterweight to the U.S." The paper also said that Mr. Bush would "have to do a
lot to make sure that at least Europe's leading politicians regain trust in the
only superpower."
Spain's conservative ABC daily, meanwhile, said Washington "would appreciate
from some [Europeans] a greater sense of responsibility. Let the lesson of faith
in democracy we have received from the American people be an incentive and an
opportunity for ensuring that the cause of freedom is victorious again."
In sum, early indications are that many Europeans are still groping toward a
coherent way to evaluate the implications of John Kerry's defeat and Mr. Bush's
victory on Tuesday.