By David Hoffman
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, January 21, 2001 ; Page A28
MOSCOW, Jan. 20 -- President Bush took office with expressions of goodwill from around the globe today, but concerns were raised anew about the impact of his plans to pursue a national missile defense system and about his direction in foreign policy.
Pope John Paul II, who had a difficult relationship with President Bill Clinton, sent Bush a telegram of congratulations, urging him to "provide clear direction and a sound ethical foundation." The Vatican had differed with the Clinton White House over abortion and other ethical issues.
Although Clinton had been close to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Britain firmly pledged cooperation with Bush. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who is scheduled to come to the United States next month for talks with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, said London would not waver in being a staunch ally.
"America is our oldest friend," Cook told BBC radio. "It is our closest ally, it is our biggest trading partner and because of that, it is very important that our fundamental relationship continues, that we continue to be allies of trust, [that] we continue to be the people they can rely on in times of difficulty."
German President Johannes Rau promised Bush in a congratulatory statement that "in Germany you will always find a reliable partner at your side."
But German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent Clinton a letter praising his administration's attempts to bring stability to the Balkans and the Middle East. "Peace in Europe is today perhaps safer than ever in its history after the resolution of the bloody conflict in the Balkans," he said.
Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, the political ally of the Irish Republican Army, praised Clinton's efforts to bring about peace in Northern Ireland but said he was not concerned that Bush might devote less attention to the conflict.
"Our representative in the United States has said she is quite satisfied that while Clinton, for his personal attachment, will be missed . . . George Bush is not a setback to this process in terms of Irish America and the broader political establishment," Adams told reporters in Dublin.
Adams said Clinton's years in power were "eight good years for Ireland." He said Clinton had recognized the need for compromise and a more inclusive approach to resolving conflict, citing Clinton's decision to grant visas to leaders of Sinn Fein.
One concern that ran through many newspaper and political commentaries today was Bush's endorsement of a controversial plan to build a missile defense system, which Clinton only reluctantly and slowly advanced and eventually left for his successor.
Newspapers in India, Japan and other countries expressed reservations about Bush's enthusiasm for missile defense. The mass-circulation Asahi Shimbun in Japan said in an editorial that the proposed system "is not a shield but a spear. As partners with the United States, it is our job to state that clearly."
In his campaign, Bush "spoke of reducing the United States' nuclear arsenal and replacing it with a missile defense system," said an editorial in the Hindustan Times of New Delhi. "The U.S. is determined to pursue the latter goal. It is less clear if it will carry out the former."
A left-wing daily newspaper in Germany, Tageszeitung, poked a little fun at Bush's inexperience in foreign affairs. The paper published helpful hints about Germany for the uninitiated. If Bush would like to visit Berlin, it suggested he first consult his father, who was president when Germany was reunified. "You might like to visit the wall," the newspaper said. "Unfortunately, it's gone. For further details, contact Daddy."
Bush's support of the death penalty also drew attention. In Switzerland, the mass circulation Blick devoted its center pages to pictures of 85 of the 152 people put to death in Texas while Bush was governor, along with their last words.
Bush's arrival was greeted by some Arab commentators in the Persian Gulf who felt that Clinton had tilted toward Israel in the Middle East conflict. Bush's father was viewed as more attuned to Arab sentiments.
"With the start of a new era in the United States, the Arabs hope for a fairer hearing and more efforts to achieve a just solution that will end half a century of injustice . . . against a people seeking their political and human rights," said Saudi Arabia's al-Jazirah newspaper.
In Russia, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told reporters that "the attitude toward Bush is rather positive in Russia today." He played down the import of recent comments by Bush suggesting a reduced role for the United States in financial aid for Russia. "One needs to take a calm attitude toward such things," he said.
