America shunned in global poll
UNITED NATIONS Ñ A recent global survey of overseas attitudes towards American policies has produced a less than resounding endorsement of the USA by so many of our traditional foreign friends, and quite open hostility throughout the Islamic world. The survey in a phrase, illustrates a deep disquiet with the Bush Administration. Why am I not surprised?
According to a Pew Research Center poll, transatlantic tensions persist a year after the Iraq war. ÒFavorability ratingsÓ of the U.S. in France and Germany which in March 2003 stood at an abysmal 31 percent and 25 percent respectively, grew marginally to 37 percent in France and 38 percent in Germany. British opinion shows 58 percent support.
More troubling is the opinion as to whether the U.S. is Òoverreacting to terrorism.Ó Majorities in France 57 percent and Germany 49 percent and have come to agree with the Muslim countries that America is exaggerating the global terrorist threat. Significantly support for the war on terror has risen dramatically in Russia where (73 percent) back the U.S. as do most of the British.
This dovetails with Democratic Presidential candidate John KerryÕs dour assertion that a number of foreign leaders had told him privately they would prefer him to George W. Bush! Well, well. Though there's no evidence that Sen. Kerry actually spoke with these leaders, short of Hillary ClintonÕs conversations with the deceased Eleanor Roosevelt, appears lacking IÕm not at all surprised that many would actually say this.
SpainÕs Prime Minister elect the socialist Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero Ñ dubbed Neville Chamberlain en Espanol by Ramon Perez-Maura of MadridÕs ABC Newspaper wrote in the Wall St. Journal, ÒThe Spanish left has frequently depicted the Bush administration as a bunch of warmongers seeking to expand U.S. imperialism around the globe.Ó The new Spanish Prime Minister openly scorned American Iraq policy and slammed the Bush Administration. You can see this in a newspaper, you donÕt need a private Kerryesque sŽance.
But overseas criticism is hardly unique to Bush. During the Carter Administration, WashingtonÕs hapless foreign policies saw open and less than diplomatic distain from GermanyÕs Chancellor Schmidt, himself a Social Democrat. Schmidt reflected feelings shared by many Europeans. Then there was that Cowboy Reagan who just happened to bring down the Berlin Wall.
Rare is the American abroad who does not get the habitual, ÒWhile we admire your country greatly, I must say that your PresidentÉÓ and then you get the full rhetorical treatment. I discovered this during every Administration from Carter thorough Clinton.
Speaking of the Clinton Administration, my own full disclosure covering the UN provides me with more than enough anecdotes from diplomats Ñ European and Asian Ñ who were less than complimentary about Madeleine Albright when she was Ambassador or later the Secretary of State. Feelings towards Colin Powell too ranged from initial enthusiasm, through ambivalence, to Òhow can he possibly stay with Bush?Ó
The point is American policy should be aimed at American national interests first, and not the perpetual popularity contest to influence the weathervane of political polls. While I truly wish we could be closer with many of our traditional European friends, the point is that despite the scourge of global terrorism many Europeans simply rationalize not to see the problem the same way.
So despite the terrorist outrage in Spain, a significant enough number of Spaniards blamed the pro-American government for the attacks rather than the perpetuators! HereÕs the worst possible scenario where Al Qaida terrorists scored a macabre triple victory Ñ the heinous bombing itself, an electoral backlash against the ruling Spanish government, and a severe political/psychological setback to the U.S. war on terror.
And letÕs not forget the ÒNew EuropeÓ that of peace and of hard earned post-war prosperity Ñ achieved under the American/NATOÕs security umbrella during the Cold War Ñ has transformed Euroland countries into prosperous and narcissist lands where the pursuit of leisure has created a very different social and political landscape lacking the traditional political formation of the post-war era. For many fighting back is not done, but discussed.
EuropeÕs attitude towards the Iraq war and global terrorism seems unfortunately based on a moral relativism and rationalization. Indeed many Europeans are distinctly disquieted by the Bush AdministrationÕs firm and unequivocal stance against the terrorist evil. SpainÕs Zapatero reflects this conundrum perfectly, as does GermanyÕs Gerhard Schroeder and many others. I regret being so blunt, but many European governments are quite willing to make a Faustian pact for tranquility and prosperity
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense
issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.  |
