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International poll shows support for airstrikesWorld wants Clinton to stay in officeDecember 22, 1998Web posted at: 7:05 p.m. EST (0005 GMT) (CNN) -- Public support for U.S.-British airstrikes on Iraq runs high in Israel, but the attack has drawn strong disapproval among residents in Moscow, according to an international survey commissioned by CNN. U.S. and British forces launched hundreds of cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs on Iraqi targets in four days of air raids, ending Saturday. U.S. President Bill Clinton said the plan was to reduce Iraq's ability to use biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.
A poll of 3,099 people in nine countries showed a majority, 56 percent, endorsed the assault on Iraq. Most of those questioned, 54 percent, felt the primary reason for the attack was the threat of Iraq's weapons, not an attempt to divert attention from Clinton's domestic political problems. In addition, the poll shows overwhelming international support for keeping Clinton in office. Nearly three-quarters said they did not want Clinton removed from the presidency. On behalf of CNN, a Canadian research firm, the Angus Reid Group, interviewed adults in Canada, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Israel, as well as the city of Moscow. Of all the nations in the poll, Israel showed the highest support for the airstrikes, with 83 percent approval. The United States followed with 76 percent. Muscovites firmly opposed military action, with 82 percent saying they disapproved of the air raids. A majority in Italy (57 percent), Japan (53 percent) and France (52 percent) also opposed the missile strikes. In Moscow and Japan, most surveyed believed the attack was related to impeachment proceedings against Clinton. The strikes were carried out the same week the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. In the remaining countries, a majority blamed Iraq's weapons programs for prompting the assault. However, a significant 11 percent overall were unable to choose which issue led to the use of force. Regardless of their opinion of the military strikes, respondents staunchly supported Clinton in his effort to stay in power. Only about one in five, 22 percent, felt he should be forced to leave, while 73 percent said they do not want Clinton removed from the White House. Israel was Clinton's strongest defender, with 86 percent opposed to removing him from office. France (83 percent), Germany (82 percent) and Italy (79 percent) also disapproved of ending Clinton's term early. In the United States, 70 percent opposed forcing Clinton out of power. Nearly half (48 percent) of the respondents in Moscow want him to keep his job. About one in three (35 percent) said Clinton should be removed. The total sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. Within each country, the margin of error is higher, ranging from plus or minus 4.4 points to plus or minus 5.7 points. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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