The US Presidential election

This Tuesday, the American people will go to the polls to elect a President, a Vice President, 435 members of the House of Representatives, 34 of the 100 members of the Senate and 12 of the 50 state governors. In addition, thousands of local government officials will be elected and hundreds of local ballot initiatives will be decided. Clearly, however, the world's focus will be on who will win the US Presidential election, the first since 9/11.

The foreign policy impact of this election has been a focus of the coverage in this newspaper and indeed in media throughout the world. Foreign policy is both a major subject of discussion by the candidates on the campaign trail as well as by ordinary Americans at the dinner table, probably for the first time since the Vietnam era.

I can say with confidence that whomever occupies the White House after Inauguration Day, January 20, 2005, will continue to support the basic principles which have guided US foreign policy for decades: promotion of human rights, support for democracy, advocacy of free trade and defeat of terrorism.

One should also keep in mind that the Congress also plays a key foreign policy role by, among other things, ratifying treaties, authorising use of armed force and confirming Presidential appointees such as ambassadors. Thus, while the President remains the "Chief executive" and the "Commander-in-Chief," he is subject to certain constitutionally-enshrined checks and balances and which party controls the Senate and House of Representatives can be just as important as who is President. Over time, this system has provided a significant degree of stability and continuity in the functioning of our government, and in particular our foreign policy.

I will complete my tour of duty and depart Malta later this year regardless of the election results. My wife Donna and I will return to the United States after more than three wonderful years here. This is in accordance with long-standing practice and will allow the next administration, whether under George W. Bush or John Kerry, to appoint new ambassadors to help execute that administration's policies. Other officials at our embassy in Floriana will remain, working as loyal US government representatives, whomever the victor may be.

To my fellow Americans in Malta may I say that I hope you have already sent in your absentee ballots and exercised your precious democratic right to vote, thereby emulating the Maltese people who consistently have a high voter turnout. To the Maltese people, I can say with certainty that regardless of which candidate wins next Tuesday, United States relations with Malta will continue to be strong, because our friendship and the strategic role that Malta plays in the world transcend partisan American politics.

Mr Gioia is the US Ambassador to Malta.