UNPOPULAR

Egypt Views U.S. Unfavorably

First modern poll of popular opinion.

The first detailed polls in Egypt conducted by U.S. polling firms are showing some interesting results: According to a Gallup poll, 75 percent of Egyptians are against the U.S. giving aid to political groups, 68 percent believe the United States will attempt to exert direct influence on Egypt’s political future, and two-thirds of Egyptians feel that the United States is not really serious about establishing democracy in the Middle East. This is the first time that polling firms have been mostly free to conduct polls in the country; Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics used to remove many questions from polls. Polling also found that Egyptians overwhelmingly support the revolution and look forward to participating in elections.