Release of New PIPA/Knowledge Networks Nationwide Poll: Americans on WMD Proliferation

4/14/2004

From: Trent Perrotto of PIPA, 202-232-7500 or info@pipa.org

News Advisory:

WHEN: Thursday, April 15, 9 to 10:45 am (breakfast will be served)

WHERE: 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC, Brookings Institution building, Stein Room

The Program on International Policy Attitudes will release the findings of its new nationwide poll of 1,311 Americans on their attitudes on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and US national security policy.

This study was conducted in conjunction with the Advanced Methods of Cooperative Security Program at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland which seeks to enhance policy debates about the security implications of globalization.

Areas explored in the poll include:

-- With the recent progress in stemming the spread of WMD in Pakistan, Libya, and Iran, as well as the failure to discover such weapons in Iraq, does the public think the problem is under control or does it believe that there are still a substantial number countries secretly developing WMD?

-- Do Americans think that the problem of WMD proliferation should be addressed primarily through an enhanced and more intrusive arms control regime or through increased threats of military force against potential proliferators?

-- How do Americans respond to the debate about giving international inspectors the power to examine biological research laboratories, including in the US, to verify compliance the biological weapons treaty?

-- How do Americans respond to the debate about the comprehensive test ban treaty?

-- What do Americans think America's goal should be in regard to nuclear weapons? Are they aware that, as part of the Nonproliferation Treaty, the US made a commitment to seek the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons? Do they support this goal?

-- Do Americans think the US should seek to deter a chemical or biological attack by threatening nuclear retaliation?

-- Do Americans favor developing new types of nuclear weapons?

-- How many nuclear weapons do Americans think the US needs to have?

-- Should the US increase its defense spending?

Findings and analysis will be presented by:

STEVEN KULL, director, Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) a joint program of the Center on Policy attitudes and the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland.

Commentary by:

JOHN STEINBRUNER, Director of the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland and the Advanced Methods of Cooperative Security Program.

Please RSVP to Trent Perrotto at 202-232-7500, or info@pipa.org.