COLOMBIA: JULY 2005 GALLUP POLL RESULTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 006889 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PREL SNAR PGOV CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: JULY 2005 GALLUP POLL RESULTS Security Policies -------------- ¶1. (U) The survey found that 71% of respondents feel safer today than they did a year ago, up seven percent (64%) from April 2005. Those disagreeing with the statement decreased from 31% in April to 26% in July. As such, a little over a third of Colombians (36%) feel that public order/security is the country's top problem. As security conditions improve, the public's willingness to forego some liberties to improve security decreased, from 63% in December 2004 to 55% in July. The large majority (73%) believes that the Government is respectful of human rights; 19% Peace Process -------------- ¶2. (U) Public support for the Government's negotiations with paramilitary groups remains strong - 73% in favor, and 23% against. Support for reinsertion programs for former members of guerrilla/ paramilitary groups has declined from 65% in April to 56% in July. Public support for humanitarian exchanges between guerrillas and hostages also continues to decline, from 47% in favor in December 2004, to 36% in July 2005. Economic Management -------------- ¶3. (U) With security conditions improving in the cities where the poll was taken, respondents identified the economy as the main problem facing Colombia (46%). Sixty-percent disapproved of the president's handling of cost of living issues (36% approved),and 59% disapproved of his unemployment policies (36% approved). On an FTA with the United States, support decreased from 60% in June 2004 to 52% in July 2005. Extradition -------------- ¶4. (U) Support for extradition, at 44% in July, is down three points from March. Aerial Spraying -------------- ¶5. (U) For the first time, opposition to aerial spraying surpassed approval, 50% to 47%. Support for aerial spraying has lost 6% points since December ¶2004. Elections/Candidates -------------- ¶6. (U) Support for President Uribe's reelection remained strong at 66%. Favorable ratings for other potential presidential candidates were as follows: - Colombia's ambassador to Spain, Noemi Sanin: 54% - Bogota Mayor Luis E. Garzon: 54% - Former Bogota Mayor Antanas Mockus 51% - Former Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa: 46% - Polo Democratico candidate Senator Antonio Navarro Wolf: 37% - Vice-President Santos: 38% - Former President Cesar Gaviria: 35% - Minister of Interior Sabas Pretelt: 32%. - Liberal Party hopeful Horacio Serpa: 30% Seventy percent of respondents considered themselves political independents, 19% Liberals, and 6% Conservatives. Institutions -------------- ¶7. (U) Among institutions, the Armed Forces enjoyed the highest favorable image, at 80%. Plan Colombia and the Police, at 70% and 69% respectively, were in the top five. The United Nations has a 67% favorable rating, and Human Rights NGOs come in next at 66%. With regards to Venezuela, 37% have a favorable opinion, while 50% have a negative opinion. When asked if the relationship with Venezuela could be described as respectful and prosperous, those agreeing with that statement have been decreasing steadily from 65% in March, 61% in April, to a low of 47% in July. Hugo Chavez received 16% favorable ratings and 49% unfavorable. ¶8. (U) The opinion poll was conducted by telephone in the four largest metropolitan areas July 5-6. It overweighted poorer respondents and represents a good profile of the more politically relevant or influential populat