One Year Later: Humanitarian Relief Sustains Change in Muslim Public Opinion; Terror Free Tomorrow Releases Findings from Indonesia Poll
2/22/2006 11:23:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: National, International Desks Contact: Ken Ballen of the Terror Free Tomorrow, 202-274-1800 ext. 201 WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new poll released today by Terror Free Tomorrow demonstrates that one year after the tsunami struck Indonesia, the dramatic increase in Indonesian support for the United States and against Bin Laden has continued. American humanitarian aid to tsunami victims last year caused an overwhelming change of opinion in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country. The new nationwide poll throughout Indonesia reveals that this dramatic shift has not only been sustained, but has strengthened. In fact, for the first time in almost four years, more Indonesians are favorable to the United States than unfavorable, while support for Bin Laden and terrorism has dropped to its lowest level since 9/11. Despite widespread stories on Koran desecration, Guantanamo, even the Danish cartoons, favorable opinion toward the United States among Indonesians has actually increased from 34 percent a year ago to 44 percent at the end of January 2006, while unfavorable views declined from 54 percent to 41 percent. These changes occurred in tandem with similar declines in support for Bin Laden, dropping from a high of 58 percent in 2003 to 12 percent today, and terrorist attacks, falling from 27 percent Indonesian support after 9/11, to 9 percent a year ago and a mere 2 percent now. Indeed, Indonesians with very unfavorable views of the United States have declined from 48 percent in 2003 to just 13 percent today. The reason for this shift of opinion has been American tsunami relief. In February 2005, 65 percent of those surveyed said that American assistance had made them feel more favorable to the United States. In January 2006, that number has remained steady at 63 percent, within the margin of error for both polls. Another surprise: When it came to tsunami relief, the United States fared better in Indonesian public opinion than other Western or even Islamic countries, as well as local Islamist groups in Indonesia, who all provided assistance. "The conventional wisdom is that the favorable shift in Muslim public opinion caused by American humanitarian aid does not result in long-term changes in the public's view. The fact that more than a year after American help, Indonesians continue to appreciate America's role is stunning proof of the sustained power of positive and substantial assistance to radically change Muslim public opinion," said Ken Ballen, president of Terror Free Tomorrow. The Lembaga Survei Indonesia (LSI), or the Indonesian Survey Institute, a highly respected, non-partisan public opinion research firm in Indonesia, undertook fieldwork for the poll. It was conducted over January 23-28, 2006 as a nationwide poll that included 1,200 respondents with a margin of error of 2.9 percent. A full report on the poll can be accessed at http://www.terrorfreetomorrow.org Terror Free Tomorrow is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to understand and undermine the popular support base that empowers global terrorists. Sen. John McCain, Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton (former 9/11 Commission Chairmen) lead its Advisory Board. To learn more, visit: http://www.terrorfreetomorrow.org. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=61333 Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
