US President Bill Clinton urged the American people Thursday to put the "rancor" of the election wrangle behind them and support President-elect George W. Bush.
Speaking from Chequers, the official country home of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Clinton praised Vice President Al Gore for the manner in which he had accepted defeat.
He said the US nation owed Gore a debt for the progress and prosperity that he had helped achieve.
Referring to Gore's concession speech after losing a vital US Supreme Court ruling, Clinton said: "He spoke for all of us last night, he did it eloquently and well and president-elect Bush responded with generosity in kind.
"I think we ought to use the opportunity to let the country come together, and get the new administration off to a good start.
"I was proud of both men," he added. "I pledge to President-elect Bush my efforts and the best efforts of my administration for a smooth and successful transition."
Texas Governor Bush, son of former president George Bush, beat Gore after a contentious Supreme Court ruling outlawing hand recounts in the decisive state of Florida.
It crushed Gore's final hopes of victory after five weeks of legal wrangle, leading to his concession speech.
Clinton thanked Gore for "putting into words the feelings of all of us who disagreed with the Supreme Court" decision but accepted its verdict.
The president, who formally leaves power when his successor is inaugurated on January 20, is on the last leg Thursday of a three-day visit to Britain and Ireland -- LONDON (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
