The Majority Support NATO Action in New Member Country Hungary

1999.03.26.

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[The Gallup Kosovo Page]

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Women are much more hesitant in the support then men

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Within 10 days of becoming a full member of NATO, Hungarians face a dilemma. After several years of staying neutral in the conflicts within the neighboring Yugoslavia, as a member of the alliance, they opened their air fields for the use of NATO planes.

SUPPORT FOR THE AUTONOMY OF KOSOVO

Public interest is very high in the developments of Kosovo; 72 percent of men and 65 percent of women say that they have been following very closely the events. 70 percent support political autonomy for the Albanians in that province, up from 61 percent a year ago.

A large Hungarian minority living in Vojvodina traditionally enjoyed a measure of autonomy before the breakup of Yugoslavia. 64 percent of those polled agree that Vojvodina should get the political autonomy as well.

CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR NATO BOMBING

One day after the bombings have started, 60 percent are in favor, 31 percent oppose the military actions, while 29 percent are undecided.

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Those older then 50 years of age tend to be less supportive. There are wide differences along gender lines: 72% of men, and only 52% of women are fully supportive of the bombings.

In general there is a scepticism about the early consequences: less then 25 percent believe, that bombings will be effective within a week.

CONCERNS ABOUT SPILLOVER EFFECTS

As NATO have attacked military targets in Yugoslavia in the neighboring Vojvodina province as well, 54 percent of respondents expressed a concern about spreading the conflict to Hungary as well. There are again big differences, as only 37% of men, while 67% of women are afraid of this possibility.

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Methodology
The results are based on 501 telephone interviews with adults in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, 18 years of age and older, conducted on March 25, 1999. A sample of this size is accurate within a 4,8 percentage point margin of error, 19 in 20 times

1998 March opinions regarding possible NATO intervention