The world can't wait for Obama new era

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: Obama-fever swept the globe Tuesday carrying widespread public hopes that the incoming US president would lead the world into a new crisis-free era.In the hours before Barack Obama took the oath of office in Washington, foreign governments and new polls all showed huge support for the Democratic president even though many analysts have warned that expectations for his rule are unrealistic.Pictures of Obama dominated front pages and television news programmes around the world. A Spain's newspaper published a photo of Obama and his wife Michelle above the headline: "The American Dream Comes to Power"Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero said an "Obama effect" could shorten the global recession."We could see a rebound faster than expected, it is a question of confidence because the fundamentals of the global economy are good enough," added the socialist premier.German Chancellor Angela Merkel was looking forward to working closely with Obama, a spokesman for the German leader said.Obama will make two visits to Europe in April for an international summit on the economic crisis and a NATO alliance meeting.Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already said the Middle East should be Obama's top foreign priority and other leaders have also pressed the case for issues ranging from climate change to helping the world's poor.Hopes that Obama can improve US ties with the rest of the world have grown in the run-up to his inauguration, according to a poll of people in 17 countries.An average of 67 percent of people believe Obama will strengthen America's relations abroad, with more than 50 percent thinking so in all but two -- Japan and Russia -- of the countries polled.The global financial crisis should be Obama's top priority, followed by pulling US troops out of Iraq, tackling climate change, and brokering peace in the Middle East, the survey said.Ghanaians are most positive, on 87 percent, followed by Italy (79 percent), Germany and Spain (78 percent each), and France (76 percent), followed by Mexico and Nigeria (74 percent each).Polls in Canada suggest more than 80 percent of people there approve of the new US president. Obama could visit Canada in February and its Prime Minister Stephen Harper described the trip as "a wonderful gesture and a great sign of re-establishing the strong Canadian-American relations."Russia has expressed hope that Obama will make concessions on US plans to build a missile shield in central Europe and on NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.