Thursday, November 27, 2003

Iraq War: Winning Friends and Influencing Allies

The people of Spain, one of the few EU countries that supports the US in the Iraq War and even contributed some troops, believe by a majority of 85% that the war was not worth it. (El Mundo 11/28/03)

 

A new poll in Europe conducted by the Real Instituto Elcano found that Spain had the most negative view of the value of the war of any European population, although France's 84% was statistically equivalent. Spanish opinion in the poll was evenly divided between supporters of Spain's participation (38%) and opponents (37%), although that considerably less than a majority that actively supports it.

 

I suppose the Bush Administration could take some comfort in the fact that a larger majority of Spaniards view terrorism as a threat than see the US as one. But more people saw the US as a threat than Islamic extremism. American unilateralism is not viewed favorably by the Spanish people. Fifty-seven percent in the poll said US unilateralism was an "extremely important" danger for the interests of Spain.

 

And this is one of America's closest allies on the Iraq War.


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