Ahmadinejad – apparently not Mr. Popularity
Photo: Reuters
Iran tops 'negativity poll'
Respondents from 33 nations say Iran has most negative influence in world
A BBC survey undertaken in 33 nations found Iran is seen as the country that has the most negative influence in the world.
The poll, which encompassed 39, 435 respondents, comes at a particularly sensitive junction for Iran, with the International Atomic Energy Agency set to refer Teheran to the United Nations Security Council over the country's nuclear development efforts.
Overall, in no country taking part in the survey did Iran enjoy a positive image – except for Iran itself. On average, just 18 percent of respondents said Iran has a positive influence in the world, whereas 47 percent said the country's influence was negative. Respondents in Germany, the U.S., and Italy expressed the most negative views on Iran.
America's image declines
Meanwhile, the survey found the United States was the 2nd most negative country, while the standing of China, Russia, and France also declined compared to a previous poll at the end of 2004.
Negative views of America increased in France, Britain, China, Australia, and Brazil. At the same time, the standing of China in the poll has also declined, with respondents in only eight countries rating it positively.
On the other hand, Japan received the nod from most respondents as the country seen to have the most positive influence in the world. Overall, Japan was ranked positively in 31 of the 33 nations taking part in the survey.
