Obama, State Dept. congratulate new president of Brazil

[Enrique]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hHn5kyOuN5KXVKmIJSeHeUL7-xRQ?docId=CNG.aa064aec753e723fd36505d4adb65ada.7a1

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US President Barack Obama called Rousseff, 62, "to congratulate her on her historic victory in yesterday's election," the White House said in a statement.

"He commended the people of Brazil for their faith and commitment to democracy," it added.

"He also underscored the excellent working relationship between the United States and Brazil, and his commitment to deepening this cooperation and exploring new areas of collaboration."

Obama also told his future Brazilian counterpart that he looks forward to meeting with her "soon" and to work "more closely" on clean energy, global growth, reconstruction assistance for quake-battered Haiti, collaborative development efforts and other global matters, the White House said.

The State Department also separately congratulated Rousseff on her win.

"The exemplary electoral process again illustrates Brazil's long-standing respect for democratic governance, civil rights and individual liberties, values that we share in common," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said in a statement.

"We look forward to working with president-elect Dilma Rousseff to deepen our partnership and advance common goals for the benefit of our two peoples and the Americas."

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