The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Sydney

Australians value the US alliance but don't like US President George W. Bush and are sceptical about Washington's ability to deal with world problems, according to a national survey released Wednesday. The survey commissioned by Sydney University's US Studies Centre also showed most Australians opposed their country's involvement in the US-led military campaign in Iraq. The centre's Alan Dupont said the survey showed Australians did not want to ditch the US military alliance, despite doubts about the foreign policy pursued by the Bush administration. "Australians are clearly able to differentiate between the foreign policy of a particular US administration and the enduring strategic value of the US alliance, which still receives overwhelming support despite widespread opposition to the Iraq conflict," he said. The survey found more Australians were favourably disposed toward Britain (87 percent) and Japan (75) than the United States (59), which ranked just above China (57). When the 1,213 respondents were asked to name something they disliked about the United States, the most popular answer was President Bush followed by a "US belief it's a world watchdog" and could "impose its views on others".