Global poll shows half oppose war

Several European governments are out of step with public opinion on the threatened war against Iraq, according to latest opinion polls.

As for the global picture, a Gallup International Poll found half of those surveyed in 41 countries opposed military action under any circumstances.

After the US, backing for a war was strongest in Australia, where 53 per cent of respondents said it should support military action if it occurred.

In Britain, a BBC/IMC poll showed that 45 per cent of people oppose a US-led war on Iraq under any circumstances, even with a fresh UN resolution.

There were contrasting fortunes for Germany's Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schröder, who saw 71 per cent of respondents to a national survey this week agree with his position against the war. Some 24 per cent thought he should change his position.

In the EU, opposition to a war was headed by Italy and France, where 68 per cent and 60 per cent of respondents to La Repubblica and Gallup surveys respectively opposed military action in all circumstances.

Nearly 70 per cent of Spaniards and 65 per cent Portuguese said Iraq was not enough of a threat to justify an attack, according to Opina Institute and Marktest polls.

In Croatia, 76 per cent of those surveyed in the Jutarnji List newspaper disagreed with their government's support for the US.

Some 81 per cent were against any military action.

In Poland, 62 per cent of respondents to a CBOS survey said their country should not support a US strike against Iraq, while 29 per cent said the reverse.

Some 51 per cent of Russians expressed opposition to a war in a CPOMR survey. Just 3 per cent expressed support, and the rest had no opinion.

A survey of Israelis published in the Maariv daily yesterday showed 51 per cent favoured an immediate attack against Iraq while 43 per cent said they supported efforts to solve the crisis peacefully.

Some 49 per cent said they believed Iraq would attack Israel if war broke out, while 34 per cent said they believed the contrary.