PARIS, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A survey published Wednesday by French daily newspaper Le Figaro showed that up to 64 percent French people oppose military intervention in Afghanistan, while 57 percent of Americans are in favor.

Survey revealed that Americans are more optimistic than the French on the Western presence in Afghanistan. A total of 59 percent of Americans against 42 percent of French believe it has helped Afghanistan move toward democracy.

However, both sides of respondents have same opinions on the risk of a stalemate. A total of 86 percent Americans and 81 percent French fear it and 92 percent of French people and 87 percent of Americans believe "the situation in Afghanistan is very difficult and west forces are very exposed."

Some 66 percent of Americans think that it is necessary to fight against international terrorism, and only 50 percent of the French agree with it.

The survey was conducted by Ifop on Aug. 10-18 among a sample of 1,005 French people and 1,008 American people, representative of the French and American population aged 15 and above respectively. 　




Editor: Mu Xuequan