US: As President Bush appeals to European leaders to join him in promoting democracy around the world, most people in the United States and major European countries agree on one thing - this should not be the business of the United States, writes Conor O'Clery in New York
An AP-Ipsos poll yesterday reveals a high degree of domestic and foreign scepticism about Mr Bush's actions and motives. The poll found a majority in the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain said it should not be the US role to spread democracy.
Most people in other countries surveyed shared the same opinion by large margins.
During his trip to Europe Mr Bush has urged allies to support his campaign for democracy in such countries as Iran and Syria. "Spreading liberty for the sake of peace is the cause of all mankind," he declared in Brussels.
However, in France 84 per cent said this should not be the business of America, and 80 per cent in Germany felt the same way. In Britain 66 per cent were opposed to the export of democracy by Washington, and in the US itself a slight majority of 53 per cent said the US should not be trying to spread democracy, the same percentage as in Italy.
Only 45 per cent of Americans agreed with the President's goals. The margin in Canada against the US campaign was three to one against and in South Korea and Spain two to one against.
The sense of world disapproval is felt keenly by Americans, according to a separate Gallup poll. Only a third believe that world leaders respect their President, compared to three-quarters at the start of Mr Bush's first term. The poll also showed that most Americans (51 per cent) believe the world in general has an unfavourable view of their country.