Poll: Pakistanis worried, wary of U.S. / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, July 2, 2009

By Grace Chung - McClatchy Newspapers

July 2, 2009

Washington — In a reversal of public opinion, most Pakistanis now consider terrorist groups a “critical threat” to their country and support their government in its fight against the Taliban in Swat valley, according to a survey released Wednesday.

They don’t have warmer feelings toward the U.S., however. On the contrary, almost two-thirds say they have little confidence in President Barack Obama, and an overwhelming majority opposes U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan.

The survey, conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org, found that more than 80 percent of Pakistanis — compared with 34 percent in 2007 — consider the Taliban a critical threat in the country’s tribal regions. Likewise, 82 percent of Pakistanis see the activities of al-Qaida as a critical threat, compared with 41 percent in 2007.

The findings were based on 1,000 face-to-face interviews May 17-28 conducted across Pakistan. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percent.

“A sea change has occurred in Pakistani public opinion,” said Clay Ramsay, the research director of the Maryland-based polling group. “The tactics and undemocratic bent of militant groups — in tribal areas as well as Swat — have brought widespread revulsion and turned Pakistanis against them.”

Pakistanis were shocked when Taliban forces seized the Buner district just 60 miles from the capital, Islamabad, after they signed a peace deal that handed them virtual control of the Swat valley. Beheadings, suicide bombings and a widely circulated video of a Taliban official flogging a teenage girl in Swat also soured public opinion of the militant groups.

However, increased opposition to the Taliban hasn’t improved Pakistani sentiments toward the U.S. “It’s crucial to understand that the U.S. is resented just as much as before, despite the U.S. having a new president,” Ramsay said.

At a time when Obama’s popularity is soaring among most nations, 62 percent of Pakistanis have little to no confidence in him. Nine in 10 Pakistanis surveyed also agree that the U.S. “abuses its greater power” to secure its own interests.

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2 July 2009
at 6:59 a.m.

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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“Nine in 10 Pakistanis surveyed also agree that the U.S.“abuses its greater power” to secure its own interests.”

Gee, why would they think that?
2 July 2009
at 7:17 a.m.

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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…

They haven't drunk Barry's Improved Flavor-Aid, now with extra lies? He'll have to appoint a czar to study that.