But a majority in Russia, Israel wants Bush re-elected president.

If global opinion polls counted, U.S. President George W. Bush would be voted out of office.

Democratic contender John Kerry was the preferred winner in the U.S. presidential election Nov. 2 by the majority of people in eight of 10 nations, according to a survey sponsored by influential newspapers in each of those countries. The poll was taken in September and earlier this month.

Most people polled in Japan, Britain, South Korea, Spain, Mexico, Australia, France and Canada would like to see Republican incumbent Bush get the boot.

Only in Israel and Russia did a majority welcome another four years of Bush.

The poll was conducted in collaboration between The Asahi Shimbun, the French daily Le Monde, and Canada's La Presse. Also participating were The Guardian newspaper of Britain; El Pais of Spain; JoongAng Ilbo of South Korea; The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in Australia; Reforma of Mexico; Haaretz of Israel; and the Moscow News of Russia.

To the question ``Was the United States right or wrong in invading Iraq?'' about 70 to 80 percent of respondents in most of the countries where the majority favored Kerry said the United States was ``wrong.''

France, for example, strongly opposed invading Iraq. Not surprisingly, of those polled in France, only 16 percent of respondents were pro-Bush while 72 percent were pro-Kerry. This was the highest support for Kerry in the poll.

Meanwhile, 68 percent of respondents in Israel felt the United States was ``right'' to invade Iraq. Pollees there were in favor of Bush by 50 percent, with only 24 percent pro-Kerry.

Russian respondents gave a less clear picture. Fifty-four percent said the war was ``wrong'' and 39 percent said the war was ``right.'' Yet, 52 percent backed Bush, slightly more than the 48 percent for Kerry.

In South Korea, which has sent 3,000 troops to Iraq, 68 percent were pro-Kerry.

In Canada, Spain and Mexico, 55 to 60 percent were pro-Kerry, while in Australia, Japan and Britain, a little over 50 percent were pro-Kerry.

Among nations where more pollees wanted Kerry to win than Bush, 30 percent in Japan still said they wanted Bush.

In Japan, about 900 randomly chosen people gave valid responses on Oct. 2 and 3.

The poll also showed that 60 to 80 percent in most nations have a favorable opinion of Americans.(IHT/Asahi: October 15,2004) (10/15)