World News 09-11-2000 US Holds Its Breath As Florida Recounts who: Al Gore what: Awaits result of recount in disputed state where: Florida, USA when: Today snippet: The result of the US presidential election is still in the balance with a re-count in progress in the disputed state of Florida. "The American people have spoken," commented Bill Clinton yesterday. "It`s just going to take a little while to figure out what they have said." Democratic Party candidate Al Gore privately conceded defeat to his Republican rival George W Bush in a phone call early yesterday morning, but later withdrew his concession when it became clear that only a few hundred votes separated the two. "Mr Bush has won 29 states for 246 electoral college votes," explains Ben Macintyre in The Times. "Mr Gore has won 19 states plus the District of Columbia for 260". Florida`s 25 electoral college votes will decide the race. Allegations of impropriety have added to the confusion. "Aides of vice-president Al Gore claim that irregularities in the voting procedures cost the Democratic presidential candidate thousands of votes," reports The Financial Times. In the pro-Democratic Palm Beach County, third party candidate Patrick Buchanan won far more votes than expected and it has been alleged that his name was not properly distinguished from Al Gore`s on the ballot paper. Other alleged violations, according to the Democrats, include missing ballot boxes and intimidation of black voters. The result of the re-count is expected at 5pm, local time, but there is speculation that Al Gore may mount a Supreme Court challenge. [... more]

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