Category: World
Service
Date: 19.01.2005
Printable version
On the eve of the inauguration
of President Bush, a 91热爆 World Service survey of 21 countries across
the world suggests that his re-election in the United States is seen
as negative for global security by a majority of people in 16 countries
and a sizable number (39%) in two other countries.
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The poll also finds that, for a substantial minority
of people worldwide, attitudes towards George Bush's re-election is
feeding a more negative attitude towards the American people as a whole.
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Forty-seven per cent say they now view US influence
in the world as largely negative.
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The survey, conducted by the international polling firm,
Globescan, suggests:
Western European, Latin American and Muslim countries are the most negative
towards President Bush's re-election. On average across all countries,
58% said that President Bush's re-election was negative, while 26% said
that it was positive for global security.
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Three countries see President Bush's re-election as more positive -
Philippines (63%), India (62%) and Poland (44%).
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Traditional US allies are among the countries most negative about Bush's
re-election. These include all western European countries polled - Germany
(77%), France (75%), Britain (64%) and Italy (54%). Close US neighbours
Canada (67%) and Mexico (58%) were also quite negative. So too was Australia
(61%).
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For a substantial minority worldwide, negative feelings about President
Bush are reflected in feelings towards the American people as a whole.
Asked how Bush's election has affected their feelings towards the American
people, 42% on average said it made them feel worse towards the American
people. Twenty five per cent said it made them feel better and 23% said
it had no effect.
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Countries with predominantly Muslim populations are also quite negative
about President Bush's re-election. In Turkey, although a US ally, an
overwhelming 82% were negative about Bush's re-election 聳 the highest
of all the countries polled.
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Muslims are especially likely to say that Bush's election is negative
(76%), that they now feel worse towards the American people (62%), that
US influence in the world is mainly negative (60%) and that they are
opposed to contributing troops to the Iraq operation (82%).
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Asked how they feel about contributing troops to Iraq, not one of the
21 countries polled has a majority in favour.
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Although France is often presumed to be overwhelmingly anti-American,
only a modest 54% majority said they viewed US influence as negative.
Almost 22,000 people were polled on five continents in this survey which
was conducted for 91热爆 World Service by GlobeScan.
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GlobeScan President Doug Miller comments: "While
the top-line survey findings will not surprise many observers, a deeper
look reveals that the Bush re-election is starting to affect the world's
view of American citizens in general.
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"And this is not the only finding that suggests
some serious implications for America.
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"Fully one in four British citizens say the Bush
re-election has made them more opposed to sending troops to Iraq, resulting
in a total of 63 per cent now opposed."
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Notes to Editors
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The global poll was conducted in 21 countries; Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Great Britain,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Philippines, Poland,
South Africa, South Korea, Spain and Turkey. In addition to the 21 countries
polled, a poll of 1,000 Americans was conducted.
In eight of the countries the sample was limited to major metropolitan
areas. The sample size in all countries except Brazil, Philippines and
Poland was 1,000 people or more. The poll was conducted between 15 November
2004 and 3 January 2005.
GlobeScan is a global public opinion firm with a research network spanning
50 countries.
