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North America Concerned About Terrorist Threat
- Many adults in North American are worried about the possibility of an attack, according to a poll by Gallup International. 92 per cent of respondents in the continent think terrorism is a threat to their countries.
Western Europeans were next on the list with 78 per cent, followed by Latin Americans with 74 per cent, Asia Pacific respondents with 72 per cent, Eastern and Central Europeans also with 72 per cent, and Africans with 54 per cent. In the 63 countries included in the survey, 76 per cent of respondents perceive terrorism as a threat.
Colombia, India, Israel, the United States, Peru and Britain are the only countries where at least 90 per cent of respondents are concerned about terrorism. Conversely, the only countries where fewer than 30 per cent of respondents feel that way are Austria, Iceland and Albania.
Two of Colombia's armed groups—the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN)—finance their operations through kidnappings, and by trading drugs and precious metals. The FARC alone is believed to hold at least 2,500 hostages.
Around 3,000 people are kidnapped in Colombia every year. In May 2003, FARC members killed 10 hostages—including provincial governor Guillermo Gaviria—during a failed rescue attempt.
Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people. The war on terrorism was initiated in October 2001 after Afghanistan's Taliban regime refused to hand over al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Polling Data
Do you think terrorism is a threat to your country?
(Yes responses listed)
World | 76% |
North America | 92% |
Western Europe | 78% |
Latin America | 74% |
Asia Pacific | 72% |
Eastern and Central Europe | 72% |
Africa | 54% |
Source: Gallup International
Methodology: Interviews with 59,000 adults in 63 countries around the world, conducted from July to September 2006. More details provided in full report.
