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Pastimes : Kosovo -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: the gator who wrote (11881)	6/14/1999 6:39:00 PM
From: goldsnow	Respond to of 17770

Why are so angry? Need Viagra? The Doubting Americans Most Hold Little Hope for Lasting Peace in the Balkans Clinton's job approval rating is just 57 percent, the lowest in nine months, and his approval rating for handling the Kosovo conflict is even lower. However, 71 percent support U.S. participation in the peacekeeping force. (Reuters/ABCNEWS.com) By Gary Langer ABCNEWS.com June 11 — Americans by a 2-1 margin doubt that NATO's pact with Yugoslavia will pacify the fractious Balkans, a level of skepticism that denies President Clinton any political boost from the deal. An ABCNEWS poll conducted after Clinton's address Thursday night finds none of the euphoria that can follow a military victory. Clinton's job approval rating is just 57 percent — its lowest in nine months and well below his near-record standing this winter. His approval rating for handling the Kosovo conflict specifically is no better, 56 percent. But most people are willing to give the deal a try. Seventy-one percent support U.S. participation in the Kosovo peacekeeping force, and 61 percent say the NATO airstrikes should resume if Yugoslavia fails to abide by the peace deal. Support for Peace Pact — but Not Clinton Support for U.S. Peacekeepers 71 % More Strikes if Necessary 61 % Clinton Job Approval 57 % Clinton Kosovo Approval 56 % A Low-Key Response Why the subdued reaction? For one thing, many Americans are dubious about the outcome. Only 53 percent say the United States and its allies won the conflict. In addition, most doubt that the peace will stick. Just 33 percent think the pact with Yugoslavia “stands a good chance of bringing lasting peace to the region.” Sixty-three percent think not. Among people who think the accord does stand a good chance of bringing lasting peace, Clinton enjoys a smashing 76 percent job approval rating. But among the majority that doubts it, Clinton's approval score dives to just 45 percent. Yugoslavia itself carries much of the blame for the public's doubts. Seventy-seven percent of Americans think it cannot be trusted to carry out the terms of the peace agreement. Was It Worth It? In addition to dampening satisfaction with the outcome, doubts about lasting peace also seem to be restraining support for a heavy investment in rebuilding Kosovo. Less than half the public, 48 percent, says the United States should contribute “significant money and material” to help rebuild Kosovo; 50 percent think not. Among people who think the peace stands a good chance of enduring, 64 percent support large-scale aid for Kosovo. But among the majority who doubt it, support for aid plummets to just 39 percent. Most Americans — 55 percent — say the United States did the right thing by getting involved in the conflict. But again, the numbers are not overwhelming. A sizable minority — 41 percent — maintains that it was a mistake to get involved in Kosovo in the first place. Gary Langer is director of the ABCNEWS Polling Unit. abcnews.go.com