Arabs deeply suspicious of US motives, says poll :: Peninsula On-line

Quote:

In the new poll, 69 per cent of those surveyed doubted that spreading democracy was the real US objective. Oil, protecting Israel, dominating the region and weakening the Muslim world were seen as US goals.

More than half — 58 per cent—said Iraq was less democratic than before the war and three of four said Iraqis were worse off. Asked from a list of countries which they would like to be the superpower, the first choice was France with 21 per cent, followed by China with 13 per cent, Pakistan and Germany tied with 10 per cent, Britain with 7 per cent, the United States with 6 per cent and finally Russia with 5 per cent.

Other reports on the poll:

Voice of America: "Mr. Telhami conducted the survey jointly with the U.S.-based polling group Zogby International. They interviewed a total of 39-hundred people in six countries -- Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. . . . Mr. Telhami said 36 percent of the respondents sympathize with al-Qaida in confronting the United States, but most do not support how the terror group operates or would want to see someone like terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in power."

Washington Times: "Mr. Telhami said the poll found that France has seen its popularity and influence soar in the region because of its outspoken opposition in 2003 to going to war in Iraq. . . . French President Jacques Chirac received the most votes in a question of which foreign leader was most admired in the Arab world, while Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Bush were named the two most disliked foreign leaders. The survey was concluded, however, just before a wave of riots swept France, pitting police against largely Muslim youths in a number of poor, isolated immigrant enclaves."

MENAFN: James Zogby, 8 Nov 05, as printed in Jordan Times - "Arab attitudes towards the United States have somewhat improved in the past year. Having plummeted to a dangerous low point in mid-2004, favourable ratings of the US are now back to their still low, but better, 2002 level."