Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Absolutely, and everyone knows it. This is slightly dated but it is an eye opener nevertheless.

You will enjoy this. -Am

Putin more popular than Bush


18 September 2003 15:05
Putin more popular than Bush
According to the latest global survey by Pew Research Center for People and Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin is more popular than American leader George Bush.

When asked which world leader was the most trustworthy, most respondents named Vladimir Putin, French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are slightly less popular. And only 15 percent of respondents gave their preference to George Bush.

Interestingly, Osama bin Laden was named among world leaders whose activities are approved by Muslim people. The world’s most wanted terrorist is particularly popular in Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco and Pakistan.

The survey of 16,000 people was conducted in 20 countries. It shoed that Russia was among the top five countries whose citizens feared attacks from the US the most. In Indonesia, 74 percent of the population fear aggression from Washington, in Nigeria and Pakistan – 72 percent and in Russia and Turkey – 71 percent.

The Washington-based Pew Research Center for People and Press is an independent American research group that studies public opinion on various political and public issues. Its research activities are sponsored by Pew Charitable Trusts, with assets of $4.9bn.

Returning to the issue of Mr. Putin’s rising popularity, it is interesting to note the opinion of the British newspaper Guardian. In one of its publications, the newspaper wrote that President Vladimir Putin was becoming more and more mythic.

According to the newspaper, the Russian leader is an increasingly popular figure with popular art genres, including pop music, literature, pictorial arts and even folklore. Vladimir Putin is always represented as an ideal man, a role model for men and a subject of adoration for women of every age.

Meanwhile, the Guardian notes, Putin’s charisma is based on his natural simplicity of a man who came from a working family and had to fight his way to the top. His image can’t be compared with such bright political figures as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat or British Prime Minister Tony Blair. However, today these leaders are less popular with their people than Mr. Putin is with Russian citizens. His followers - Putinites - wear blue, sleeveless cagoules when they're handing out his leaflets.


http://www.gateway2russia.com/st/art_142378.php