(London-AP) -- Leaders worldwide are sending messages of congratulations to President-elect Bush.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder led the flood of congratulations from Europe, with messages of support also pouring in from Denmark, France, Norway and Switzerland.

Schroeder noted Bush's father's role in the reunification of Germany.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin has sent Bush a telegram saying he looks forward to working with him, as did Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

In Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Barak congratulated the president-elect and predicted the new administration would continue with the policy of its predecessors.

Dec. 13, 2000

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"Tonight I'd like to congratulate my brother on being elected president of the United States. My family and I couldn't be prouder. ... Now it is time for the nation to come together behind our president. I am confident our country and state will do so quickly." _Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president-elect's younger brother.

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"My warmest congratulations on your victory in the presidential election. It was a long and agonizing wait for you. I'm very glad it is finally settled ... Cherie (Blair's wife) joins me in wishing you and Laura all possible strength and success throughout your time as president and first lady of the United States of America." _ British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a message to George W. Bush.

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"I don't believe this whole process should ever have been in the courts like it was, but even this, the United States has survived, which shows the great strength of our republic." _ Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Va.

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"Sure, we're not in the same position we would be if we had won outright, but in some ways it presents an opportunity for people to step up to the plate to be better than they would have been if the election had been a slam dunk. All of us are being called on to be better leaders." _ Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.

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"I am disappointed by the final outcome of this election, but the time has come for us to move on as a nation. It's time to put politics on hold and to begin working together to deal with our nation's problems. ... We must put politics behind us." _ Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.

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"It's going to be difficult to rally a strong level of support for a new administration. Typically, there is a honeymoon period for a new president. I think the circumstances of this election will give Bush less initial leeway than most presidents have." _ Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D.

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"It's a disappointing conclusion, but I commend Vice President Gore for his statesmanship, and for his extraordinary grace under such great pressure. No one fought more effectively, or has been a stronger voice for our ideals in this campaign." _ Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

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"I think the American people will rally behind the new president. They typically do. Most new presidents have a honeymoon period during which the public wishes them well and hopes they succeed, and public opinion has an enormous impact on Congress." _ Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

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"It will be important for Bush to pick up Democrats for his Cabinet. But that's not what bipartisanship is about. Bipartisanship is about more than tokens. It's about creating a tone in Washington where people can work together and respect the point of view of the other side." _ Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass.

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"I've been in politics for over 30 years and it never ceases me to amaze me that candidates can go toe to toe ... in the most divisive way, and when the election is over, Old Glory shows its true colors." _ Former Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn, a Democrat who endorsed Bush.

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"I think it's good that it's over. There are lots of bruised feelings out there, especially on the part of politicians. I think it's been a great civics lesson for the American public. I think the country will eventually be stronger because of this." _ Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, a Bush supporter.

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"The process may not have been perfect, but I believe the judges _ all of them who were involved _ did the best they could with the facts and arguments before them. I don't think it serves any purpose to second-guess them or question their motives." _ Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.

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"There's no doubt that Governor Bush is coming in under difficult circumstances. It will be a test of his leadership to see if he can unite the country." _ Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill.

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"Black voters, if I may speak for them, I don't see them supporting George Bush in any way. I will respect him and I will work with him, but I don't think that (extends) to my constituents." _ Rep. Carrie Meek, D-Fla.

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"Rather than being a place where presidents choose judges, these were judges choosing presidents. This leaves a stain on democracy. It's going to take a long time for the healing process. The people are going to be left saying, 'I am not certain this guy (Bush) won the election."' _ Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.

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"As the country enters a critical period of healing from the divisive period we have just been through, the president will be called upon to unite a closely divided public _ a task George W. Bush has shown that he can do." _ Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich.

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"It was a hard-fought election. There's going to have to be some time for healing." _ Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill.

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"He (Bush) can't just call for the same agenda that he talked about during the campaign. That won't work. The Congress is closely divided, and he didn't get a majority of the vote. He does not have a mandate for what he was talking about in his campaign. He will have to moderate his views." _Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

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"It is important to remember that our system was not intended for angels to use in creating perfection, but to produce reliable constitutional results despite being run by a changing cast of fallible men and women." _ Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas.

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"I just put the burden on Governor Bush. He gets a chance to be everything he advertised himself to be. If he is a uniter instead of a divider, all these worries will go away." _ Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.

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"Unfortunately, this splintered decision and its unprecedented result will do nothing to heal the deep divide separating the American people. At this time when so many of our government institutions are being tested, the Senate now must serve as the conscience of the nation." _ Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

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"Our system has endured a great trial and the wounds that have come from the passions of partisanship must begin to heal for the good of the country. ... I have great faith in our system of government and I have great faith in the American people." _ House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert, R-Ill.

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"I see this decision as a potential threat to our democracy and potentially destabilizing to our democratic institutions. I see it as undermining the legitimacy of a President Bush should he be elected without all of the votes being counted." _ Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill.

(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)