April 13, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 13, 2003 - Mexicans have conflicting views on their country's involvement in the United Nations (UN) Security Council, according to a poll published in Reforma. 46 per cent of respondents say such participation hurts Mexico, while 39 per cent believe it helps the country.

(CPOD) Apr. 13, 2003 - Mexicans have conflicting views on their country's involvement in the United Nations (UN) Security Council, according to a poll published in Reforma. 46 per cent of respondents say such participation hurts Mexico, while 39 per cent believe it helps the country.

Mexico will preside the Security Council all through April 2003, dealing with matters ranging from humanitarian relief for Iraq, to an assessment of political stability in Cyprus and Ivory Coast.

Mexicans are content with their government's handling of relations with the United States. 61 per cent of respondents agree with the government's foreign policy. Mexico and the U.S. have fallen out over the past two years, on issues such as immigration reform and military deployment in Iraq. Mexican president Vicente Fox cancelled a trip to the U.S. in 2002, over the execution of a Mexican in Texas.

U.S. president George W. Bush, who had an approval rating of almost 70 per cent in Mexico following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has dropped to 53 per cent.

Polling Data

What do you think about Mexico's involvement in the United Nations (UN) Security Council?

Hurts, Mexico has no place there	46%
Helps, Mexico has broader world presence	39%
Don't know	15%

Do you approve how the Mexican government has handled relations with the United States?

Yes	61%
No	28%

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of the following?

	Favourable	Unfavourable
George W. Bush	17%	53%
Saddam Hussein	9%	62%
The United Nations	41%	26%

Source: Reforma
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 850 Mexican adults, conducted on Mar. 29, 2003. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.