Majority Europeans Against US Confrontation With Iran

London, Oct 18, IRNA - A new poll suggests the majority of people in Europe, Asia and North America are opposed to any US confrontation with Iran over its peaceful nuclear drive.

The poll, conducted by mainstream newspapers in Britain, France,
Canada, Belgium, Japan, Poland, Mexico and Switzerland, also suggest
that the next US president should "specifically rule out" any military
action against Tehran.

According to the "Guardian", in Britain 47 percent say George Bush's
successor should study other options including diplomacy to resolve
Iran's nuclear issue.

The results of the poll also indicated that more than 60 percent of
people in those countries believe their opinion of the US is "worse"
than it was before the Bush presidency began.

In France, only 38 percent believe the relations with the US are
friendly. Such a figure stands at only 16 percent in Japan and 21
percent in Britain.

"Even America's two neighboring states are skeptical of US intentions.
Only 23% of Mexicans describe relations as friendly while in Canada
voters are strongly supportive of a Democratic presidency," the
"Guardian" reported.

Asked about their change of opinion since Bush's presidency, 86
percent of Swiss people, 77 percent of Canadians, 75 percent in
France, 67 percent in Britain, 62 percent in Japan and 66 percent in
Mexico said relations with the US have proved "worse and much worse"
since Bush came into the White House.

"The research finds overwhelmingly support for the Democratic
candidate Barack Obama in next month's presidential election," the
"Guardian" wrote, citing poll results by La Presse in Canada, the
Guardian in Britain, Le Temps in Switzerland, Le Monde in France,
Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, Mexico's Reforma, Le Soir in Belgium and
Gazeta Wyborcza in Poland.

"He (Obama) would win by a simple majority in six of the eight
countries surveyed including Canada where he leads McCain by 70-14
percent and Japan where the margin is 61-13 Percent."