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New Gallup International Post War Iraq Poll: Global Opinion from 45 countries 05/16/03: Gallup International Association (GIA) is releasing a new global public opinion survey conducted after the fall of Saddam Hussein™s regime in Iraq (interviews between 16 th April and 8th May) in 45 countries. Key Findings from the survey: Only in the USA itself, in Albania, and in UN administered Kosovo do citizens feel the world is a safer place since the recent military action (48%, 64% and 59% respectively). Majorities in all other countries think that as a result of recent military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, the world is a more dangerous place. It is not a surprise then that in almost all countries included in the survey, majorities also disagree that the threat of terrorism has been significantly reduced by the war. Global opinion is less clear cut on whether military action by the US and its allies in Iraq was justified or not. However, large majorities in several European countries opposed to the war, still think even now that the regime of Saddam Hussein has been destroyed that military action by the US and its allies was not justified. This is particularly true in France (65%) and Germany (68%) but also in Spain (68%) and even more strongly in Greece (83%). Outside of Western Europe, in two key countries Israel and Turkey almost 9 out of 10 citizens in Israel (87%) think military action was justified whilst only a quarter of the Turkish population agree (23%). Regarding the re-construction of Iraq, significant majorities in most countries around the world think the US and its allies should be involved. But they also strongly agree that the United Nations should be involved. A majority of citizens in many countries would also give Arab countries a role but global opinion is clear that those countries which opposed the war, like France Germany and Russia should not be involved in the re-construction of Iraq. Most countries agree that the US is too keen to use military force, notably highest in Russia (87%) and France (87%), But agreement is also high in Finland (81%), Switzerland (80%), Serbia (former Yugoslavia 84%) and Turkey (75%). Highest disagreement levels are found in the USA (51%), Philippines (52%); with disagreement also in Germany (32%), Portugal (31%), Albania (37%), Malaysia (40%),Cameroon (41%) and Nigeria (46%). Large majorities in all countries agree there can be no peace in the region without a settlement of the Israel/Palestine issue. In Israel itself, seven out of ten people agree (70%). It follows that in most countries, the majority of the population does not agree that the war will result in greater peace and stability in the Middle East. The exceptions are again the USA itself, Albania and UN-administered Kosovo. A supplementary question was asked in Israel only, which shows that 51% think that, in light of the military action in Iraq and the end of the Saddam Hussein regime, this development in itself has increased the chances of resolving the Israel/Palestine conflict. Nine percent feel it has decreased the chances and 35% feel it has had no effect. Diplomacy is also recognised as a sensitive issue around the world. Global opinion in many countries is not clear whether the diplomatic rift between the US and its allies with countries opposed to the war like France, Germany and Russia can be easily repaired or not. In key countries, French opinion splits with 43% agreeing and 47% disagreeing that the diplomatic rift between the US and its allies with countries opposed to the war like France, Germany and Russia can be easily repaired. In Germany, thefigures are 37% agree and 58% disagree, in Russia 42% agree and 44% disagree. Among the allied countries in UK 38% agree and 51% disagree and in the USA 45% agree and exactly the same proportion (44%) disagree. Finally, in almost all countries, most citizens agree that the United Nations has been seriously damaged by recent events, perhaps this is why so many global citizens want to see the United Nations play a significant role in the re-construction of Iraq The Gallup International Association, now registered in Zurich, Switzerland as a verein, was established in 1947 by George H Gallup and his colleagues. It now has member agencies in 60 countries across the world, regularly conducting market and opinion research in more than 80 countries.
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