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06/29/2006
Global Opinion
Terror Free Tomorrow, Inc. is a non-partisan organization whose
advisory board includes Sen. John McCain, 9/11 Commission
Chairs Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, as well as scholars and
commentators from the Islamic world.
Recently, the body conducted nationwide public opinion surveys
in Indonesia, Pakistan, the West Bank and Gaza, Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates and Turkey. What follows are some of the
results.
For example, while governments in the Middle East and Asia
may be opposed to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, a polling of
the people in the above nations reveals something different.
By a 70/13 margin, Pakistanis favor Iran having nuclear
weapons.
But Saudis oppose, 31/55, as do Turks, 23/55.
Only 7% of Pakistanis favor military action to stop Iran from
having nukes.
Saudis are also against a preemptive U.S. strike, 46/31.
On the issue of American humanitarian aid, however:
Today, 76% of Pakistanis have a “somewhat” or “much more”
favorable impression of the U.S. because of its earthquake aid.
63% of Indonesians have a favorable impression of the U.S. as a
result of its aid in the tsunami relief effort.
But, on the issue of the Danish cartoons:
Sizable majorities of Pakistanis, Saudis, Palestinians, Turks and
citizens of UAE believe the cartoons represented “Western
antagonism against Islam”. [52% (Palestine) to 67% (both
Pakistan and Turkey).]
Regarding the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict:
60% of Palestinians want the U.S. to “somewhat” or “greatly
increase” their involvement. 63% of Saudis do.
On the issue of the Dubai Ports deal:
In the UAE, by a 48/2 margin people here have a “less
favorable” impression of the United States (50% either say it will
have no effect or don’t know). It’s 42/1 in Saudi Arabia.
Overall:
71% of Turks have an “unfavorable” opinion of the United
States. [12% favorable, 17% don’t know/no answer]
44/41, Indonesians have “favorable” opinion of United States.
68/29, Palestinians have “favorable” opinion of U.S.
89/11, Saudis have “unfavorable” opinion of U.S. [Interesting in
this case that there are zero ‘undecided’.]
64/26, Pakistanis have “unfavorable” opinion. [68% of those
unfavorable to the United States are still more favorable because
of American aid to the victims of the 2005 earthquake in
Pakistan.]
Question: How much confidence do you have in Osama Bin
Laden to do the right thing regarding world affairs?
In Pakistan, 38% are “not confident,” 33% “confident”.
Source: Terrorfreetomorrow.org
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Hott Spotts will return July 13.
Brian Trumbore
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