Americans say Mideast reform good for US

Washington: Most Americans believe democratic reforms in the Middle East would be positive for the United States but are divided over whether unrest sweeping the region will lead to greater democracy, according to a survey released on Monday.

The poll, by researchers at the University of Maryland, found that most Americans believe US-Muslim relations are among the top five issues facing the United States. They also would favour greater democracy even if it meant a country would be more likely to oppose US policies. 

Sixty-five per cent of those surveyed said a move toward democracy in the Middle East would be positive for the United States in the short run, while nearly a third thought it would be negative.

In the longer run, 76 per cent thought greater democracy in the Middle East would be positive for the United States, while only 19 per cent thought it would be negative.

Fifty-seven per cent supported greater democracy even if it meant greater resistance to the United States and 40 per cent were opposed.

While expressing support for greater democracy in the Arab world, participants were divided over whether the unrest would ultimately lead to democratic reform.

Democracy

Fifty-one per cent said they thought it was likely the upheaval would lead to more democracy but 47 per cent thought it was not likely to bring democratic change.

A large minority - 39 per cent - said watching the unrest in the Middle East had made them more sympathetic to the Arab people, while 54 per cent reported no change.

"There is evidence that the Arab uprisings have contributed to improving views of Arab countries and quite positive views of the Arab people, especially Egyptians," said Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Chair at the University of Maryland, who conducted the study with Kull.

The survey found 70 per cent had a favourable view of Egyptians, 57 per cent had a favourable view of Saudi Arabians and 56 per cent had a favourable view of Arab people in general.

Despite a more favourable view of Arab people, the survey found 59 per cent of Americans believe Arab culture produces more violent extremists than other cultures, while 35 per cent said the level was about the same as in other cultures.

The survey of 805 people was carried out April 1-5 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

It was released before this week's Eighth Annual US-Islamic World Forum in Washington, which aims to promote engagement between the United States and Muslim communities around the world.