FYI
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Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 20:50:11 -0700
From: International Bicycle Fund <[log in to unmask]>
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To: wa-afr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [wa-afr] FW: American Public Response to Summit's Plan of Action
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From: Will Cusack [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 10:21 AM
To: Will Cusack
Subject: American Public Response to Summit's Plan of Action
AMERICAN PUBLIC RESPONSIVE TO SUMMIT'S PLAN OF ACTION
This research, conducted by Dr. Steven Kall, was commissioned by the
Center for the Study of Policy Attitudes and the Center for
International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland's
School of Public Affairs, indicates that the work that all of you have
done through the Summit process is worthwhile to the American public.
Findings from this research have been presented on Capitol Hill and in
the media. The impact and interest of the American public in Africa, as
well as in international issues in general, is substantiated in this
study, as well as in a new body of research that has come out on this
subject.
The contributions made by thousands of individuals toward the completion
of the National Policy Plan of Action are being recognized in
universities, in Congress and in the Administration.
Without you, this could not have happened. Without you, this progress
cannot continue.
What you think and believe make a difference.
PROGRAM ON INTERNATIONAL POLICY ATTITUDES
A joint program of the Center for the Study of Policy Attitudes and the
Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland, School of
Public Affairs, University of Maryland
Africa Summit Plan Likely to Elicit
Sympathetic But Guarded Response from US Public
Analysis By Steven Kull, PIPA Advisory, Feb. 29, 2000
Contact: Nicci Millington, (202) 232-7500 or [log in to unmask]
Most of the central proposals of the National Summit on Africa's Plan of
Action are likely to elicit a sympathetic response in the majority of
Americans, though some aspects are likely to elicit a guarded reaction.
This is the conclusion of a broad review of existing polling data,
conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) of the
University of Maryland. The full report is available at www.pipa.org or
by calling (202) 232-7500, ext. 103.
The Africa Summit Plan of Action, the culmination of a four-year effort,
calls for a greater emphasis on Africa in US foreign policy and specific
action in a number of areas including; development and humanitarian aid;
intervention in support of peace, security and human rights; and
preferential trade treatment for Africa. PIPA analyzed polls that
addressed some of these issues, conducted over the last five years, from
a variety of polling organizations. Briefly, the review found:
1. Overall, Americans are likely to be responsive to the idea that the
US should pay more attention to Africa. A strong majority of Americans
supports giving development and humanitarian aid to Africa, and feels
more comfortable giving aid to Africa than to other regions of the
world. By a two- to-one margin, Americans are willing to give Africa
preferential trade treatment. A majority of Americans is ready to
support sending US troops to Africa as part of multilateral peacekeeping
operations -- no less than support for operations in Europe or Asia. A
strong majority favors signing the international treaty banning land
mines as called for in the action plan.
2. Concurrent with this sympathetic response, some aspects of the Africa
Summit plan are likely to elicit a guarded response. Americans are
likely to resist the idea that the US should take the lead on such an
initiative. Rather, Americans would prefer to see a multilateral effort
with the US contributing its 'fair share.' Americans are also likely to
resist the idea of increasing spending on aid. However, this resistance
is heavily influenced by extreme overestimations of the amount the US
currently spends on aid, in absolute terms and relative to other
countries. Increasing aid would thus require a substantial public
education effort. Americans also have major concerns about aid going to
governments with poor human rights records; the Summit proposal of
making aid contingent on proper human rights policies would be well
received.
3. The Summit's proposal for a new Marshall Plan-style response to
African problems is likely to meet with a mixed response. Americans will
clearly resist the idea of the US taking the lead on such an initiative.
However, if a large-scale, multilateral effort were proposed, with other
countries contributing their 'share,' and the effort was perceived as
likely to succeed in dramatically reduce suffering in Africa, there is
evidence that Americans could support even an ambitious program with
significant costs.
Note: This review was initiated and conducted by the Program on
International Policy Attitudes and is not associated with The National
Summit on Africa.
DC OFFICE: 1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Ste. 510 o Washington, DC 20036 o
Tel: (202) 232-7500 * Fax: (202) 232-1159
CAMPUS OFFICE: CISSM, School of Public Affairs University of Maryland o
College Park, Maryland 20742-181 11
Telephone: (301) 405-7601 a Fax: (301) 403-8107
<<AMERICAN PUBLIC RESPONSIVE TO SUMMIT.doc>>
Will Cusack
Legislative Advocacy and National Outreach
National Summit on Africa
1819 H Street, NW, Suite 810
Washington, DC 20006
(800) 934-3418 phone
(202) 861-8645 fax
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