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| World poll favours Iran diplomacy | World poll favours Iran diplomacy |
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| World opinion opposes aggressive steps as a way of stopping a possible Iranian nuclear arms programme, according to a 25-nation poll for BBC World Service. | World opinion opposes aggressive steps as a way of stopping a possible Iranian nuclear arms programme, according to a 25-nation poll for BBC World Service. |
| But only 17% of those polled believed Iranian assurances that research it is carrying out is just for energy needs. | But only 17% of those polled believed Iranian assurances that research it is carrying out is just for energy needs. |
| The most popular course of action, with 39% support, was to use only diplomatic efforts; 11% favoured military strikes. | The most popular course of action, with 39% support, was to use only diplomatic efforts; 11% favoured military strikes. |
| Last month, Iran failed to abide by a UN deadline to halt uranium enrichment which could lead to sanctions. | Last month, Iran failed to abide by a UN deadline to halt uranium enrichment which could lead to sanctions. |
| An average of 30% of respondents favoured economic sanctions if Iran continued to produce nuclear fuel. | An average of 30% of respondents favoured economic sanctions if Iran continued to produce nuclear fuel. |
| href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/21_09_06_iran_poll.pdf" class="">Survey findings in full (1.2 MB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here The survey asked 27,407 people in countries ranging from the US and UK to Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Israel, Nigeria, Poland, Russia and Turkey. | |
| The survey, by the international polling organisation GlobeScan, has a margin of error of between plus-or-minus 2.5% and 4%. | The survey, by the international polling organisation GlobeScan, has a margin of error of between plus-or-minus 2.5% and 4%. |
| Poll analyst Steven Kull, of the University of Maryland, said: "Clearly world opinion rejects Iran's claim that it is simply trying to develop nuclear energy. | Poll analyst Steven Kull, of the University of Maryland, said: "Clearly world opinion rejects Iran's claim that it is simply trying to develop nuclear energy. |
| "But at this point the world public favours addressing the problem through diplomacy rather than a confrontational approach." | "But at this point the world public favours addressing the problem through diplomacy rather than a confrontational approach." |
| Mandate | Mandate |
| Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would be concerned if Iran were to develop nuclear weapons, with 43% saying they would be "very concerned". | Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would be concerned if Iran were to develop nuclear weapons, with 43% saying they would be "very concerned". |
| In general, there appeared to be a world-wide mandate for stricter controls on the production of nuclear fuels which could be used in weapons. | In general, there appeared to be a world-wide mandate for stricter controls on the production of nuclear fuels which could be used in weapons. |
| Fifty-two percent favoured a new effort to have the UN develop new controls, while 33% favoured preserving the existing system allowing non-nuclear powers to develop nuclear fuel but not weapons. | Fifty-two percent favoured a new effort to have the UN develop new controls, while 33% favoured preserving the existing system allowing non-nuclear powers to develop nuclear fuel but not weapons. |
| The questionnaire also showed respondents in Egypt and Turkey had a strong sense of entitlement to have a nuclear capacity. | The questionnaire also showed respondents in Egypt and Turkey had a strong sense of entitlement to have a nuclear capacity. |
| Only 29% in each country agreed the UN should stop countries from producing their own nuclear fuel, but provide them with the fuel they need. | Only 29% in each country agreed the UN should stop countries from producing their own nuclear fuel, but provide them with the fuel they need. |
| A recent report by the UN's nuclear watchdog said Iran started a new round of uranium enrichment, which can be used to make weapons, just days before the UN deadline to halt it. | A recent report by the UN's nuclear watchdog said Iran started a new round of uranium enrichment, which can be used to make weapons, just days before the UN deadline to halt it. |
| Tehran says it is completely within its rights to pursue a nuclear power programme and insists that is what it is doing. | Tehran says it is completely within its rights to pursue a nuclear power programme and insists that is what it is doing. |