Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Obama viewed more
favourably in Jordan than in other Arab countries
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN - Over half of Jordanians have a "very positive or positive to some
extent" opinion and view of US President Barack Obama, while a little over a
third of the population have a "very positive or positive to some extent"
opinion of the US, a poll showed Tuesday.
In the survey, which covered 7,000 persons from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the
UAE, Kuwait and Lebanon, Jordanians showed the strongest positive opinion of
Obama with 58 per cent saying they have a "very positive-positive to some
extent" opinion of the US leader, while 36 per cent showed a “very
positive-positive to some extent” view of the US.
In Saudi Arabia, 53 per cent said they have a "very positive-positive to some
extent" opinion of Obama, compared with 52 per cent in the UAE, 47 per cent in
Kuwait, 43 per cent in Lebanon and 35 per cent in Egypt, according to the poll,
which was conducted by the Ipsos Jordan Company.
Analysts said the disparity in opinion of Jordanians towards the US and Obama
shows a balanced and intelligent position as they said Jordanians are optimistic
of the positive signals by Obama towards the region and peace efforts, but they
are still wary of America's deep-rooted policies and their negative impact on
the region.
They said Obama has on several occasions stressed commitment to bring about
peace in the region and deal with regional issues, and extended his hand to the
Muslim world.
"Jordanians are aware that the US has major problems and its foreign policy has
not changed… Their evaluation is accurate as their view towards Obama is
positive, while it remains negative when it comes to the US," Yasser Abu Hilala,
a columnist for Al Ghad daily, told The Jordan Times over the phone Tuesday.
Jordanians' position towards Obama, however, will be linked to his actions and
whethere he makes good on his promises, Abu Hilala said.
"The positive view of Obama among Jordanians is to a large extent driven by the
enthusiasm of the official political system in Jordan towards Obama, who has so
far given several positive indications that he would work to push the peace
process forward and settle regional issues," Oraib Rintawi, president of Al Quds
Centre for Political Studies, said Tuesday.
At a meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah in Washington last month, Obama said
restarting the peace process would take time, stressing: "I am a strong
supporter of a two-state solution. I have articulated that publicly and I will
articulate that privately."
In the report, 67 per cent of Jordanians said they believe Obama will have a
positive impact on the world and 81 per cent said he will have a positive impact
on the US. Sixty-four per cent of Jordanians said the American leader will have
a positive impact on the Middle East, while 73 per cent said he will have a
positive impact on Jordan.