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Muslim World Reveals Fear of US
FT.com ^
| 6/2/2003
| James Politi
Posted on 06/03/2003 4:39:43 PM PDT by ex-Texan
Muslim World Reveals Fear of US
In the year that the US has fought terrorism, toppled a Middle Eastern dictatorship and launched a peace initiative between Israelis and Palestinians, its standing in the Muslim world has collapsed.
A survey published on Tuesday by the Pew Global Attitudes Project also suggests the Iraq war has widened the rift between Americans and western Europeans and softened international support for the war on terrorism.
"The bottom has fallen out of support for America in most of the Muslim world," reports the Washington-based organisation after an extensive survey last month of international public opinion.
As President George W. Bush sat down with Arab leaders on Tuesday, the polls in the Palestinian Authority and Jordan revealed only 1 per cent of the population holds favourable views of the US.
Negative perceptions of America pervade the rest of the Arab world, excluding Kuwait, and have, in the past year, spread to countries outside the Middle East with sizeable Muslim populations, such as Indonesia and Nigeria. However, the displeasure is mostly directed at Mr Bush and his policies rather than Americans in general, or American political values. In fact, a majority of Jordanians, Lebanese, Palestinians, Nigerians, Moroccans and Pakistanis believe that "western-style democracy" could work well in their countries.
The survey suggests many Muslims feel threatened by the US and are concerned that it may attack their country. In Pakistan, whose government supports Mr Bush's "war on terrorism", 73 per cent of the population are "very" or "somewhat" worried about a potential military threat from the US.
In contrast to Mr Bush, Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist network, won significant backing as the leader most capable of "doing the right thing regarding world affairs". In the Palestinian Authority, Mr bin Laden topped the poll with 71 per cent saying they had "a lot" or "some" confidence in him. Yassir Arafat, president of the PA, who has been marginalised by the US administration, came second with 69 per cent. In Jordan, Morocco and Pakistan Mr bin Laden was ranked second.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: arabpoll; arabstreet; arabsveryscared; pollsoniraq; worldopinion
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To: Bringbackthedraft
To: RobbyS
I'm sure what you said added fuel to the fire, but their hatred was intense enough to kill more than 3000 Americans and other nationals prior to the Iraq war. I just hope that the muslims wake up from their stupor of hate before the USA loses patience with them.
Comment #43 Removed by Moderator
To: Timmy
John Gibson interviewed a woman reporter from Lebenon who basically said this poll does not mean anything. She said everyone is waiting to see how Bush handles the Road Map.
44
posted on
06/03/2003 7:09:54 PM PDT
by
hobson
To: ex-Texan
45
posted on
06/03/2003 7:11:51 PM PDT
by
F16Fighter
(Democrats -- The Party of Stalin and Chiraq)
To: ex-Texan
They always hated us. Now at least they consciously fear us. Good news. They know they'd better shape up or else.
It would be swell if they loved us and we all got along. But truth is, Muslims and Arabs hate everyone, even each other, and have been slitting one another's throats for centuries. The only thing that has ever held them in check is strong leadership and dire consequences.
If they fear us, they'll respect us. I think that's as good as it possibly can get.
46
posted on
06/03/2003 7:27:08 PM PDT
by
PoisedWoman
(Fed up with the CORRUPT liberal media)
To: ex-Texan
Fear is good...
Makes another repeat of 911 less likely, and the consequences, if it should repeat, a lot worse.
47
posted on
06/03/2003 7:36:53 PM PDT
by
Publius6961
(Californians are as dumm as a sack of rocks)
To: IloveLisa
So far, they don't have the delivery or weapons to do a retalitory strike. I think with a massive ACLM B2 strategic attacks, or D5 Tridents, we could wipe them out and that's it.
The fallout won't be fun, but it's what has to happen. I hope Rummy has a warplan setup for this.
48
posted on
06/03/2003 8:03:22 PM PDT
by
Monty22
To: ex-Texan
So, Islamofascists aren't happy with America.
Damn. That sucks.....................for them.
49
posted on
06/03/2003 8:08:12 PM PDT
by
Malsua
To: ex-Texan
the polls in the Palestinian Authority and Jordan revealed only 1 per cent of the population holds favourable views of the US.
ingrates
50
posted on
06/03/2003 8:16:06 PM PDT
by
Libertina
(How will the RATS overcome the "flightsuit" advantage ? LOL)
To: ex-Texan
"The bottom has fallen out of support for America in most of the Muslim world," reports the Washington-based organisation after an extensive survey last month of international public opinion. Boo frickin' hoo.
51
posted on
06/04/2003 8:22:14 AM PDT
by
SunStar
(Democrats piss me off!)
To: ex-Texan
Muslim World Reveals Fear of US. It is nice to know that they are getting the message.
To: ex-Texan
Darn, I really miss the days when they were supporting us and flying planes into our buildings and loving us and blowing up our ships and embassies and stuff.
53
posted on
06/04/2003 8:50:12 AM PDT
by
hemogoblin
(When terrorists alienate the World Community, it's okay)
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