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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Bush Euro Trip Pleases Many In U.S.
Credit:White House photo by Paul Morse
George W. Bush and Jacques Chirac
(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many Americans are satisfied with George W. Bush's recent visit to Europe, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 51 per cent of respondents believe the president's stopover will improve relations with European countries.
In late 2002 and early 2003, world leaders in several countries—particularly French president Jacques Chirac and German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder—rejected the invasion of Iraq without an explicit mandate from the United Nations (UN) Security Council. 73 per cent of respondents say it is very important for the U.S. to improve diplomacy with Europe.
On Feb. 23 in Belgium, Bush voiced his opposition to lifting the arms embargo imposed on China following the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. The American president said such a decision "would change the balance of relations between China and Taiwan, and that's of concern." Chirac and Schroeder suggested easing the regulation.
On Feb. 24, Bush met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, Slovakia. The American president said he lived "in a transparent country (...) in a country where decisions made by government are wide open." The Russian head of state argued that recent changes in his country's electoral system resemble the American Electoral College, and asked, "It is not considered undemocratic, is it?"
Polling Data
Do you think George W. Bush's recent trip to Europe helped improve U.S. relations with European countries or not?
Yes | 51% |
No | 28% |
Not sure | 20% |
George W. Bush recently traveled to Europe and met with several European leaders. How important do you think is it that the United States improves relations with European countries?
Very important | 73% |
Somewhat important | 20% |
Not very important | 3% |
Not at all important | 3% |
Not sure | 2% |
Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 900 American registered voters, conducted on Mar. 1 and Mar. 2, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.