Poll: U.N. does more good than harm

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Overwhelming majorities of adults in the United States and five European countries believe the United Nations does more good than harm, a poll indicates.

The Harris Poll found, however, that many surveyed are not familiar with the 60-year-old international body.

The poll indicates 25 percent of Germans and 28 percent of French adults say they are familiar with the body, compared with 40 percent of British adults, 48 percent of Spaniards, 55 percent of Italians and 64 percent of Americans.

When it comes to the United Nations' work, however, 75 percent of French adults, more than two-thirds of Italians, 67 percent of Germans and 65 percent Britons, 63 percent of Spaniards and 60 percent of Americans say the United Nations does more good than harm.

The nationwide survey of 2,126 U.S. adults was conducted Nov. 10 and 17, and a poll of 5,225 adults in France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Italy was conducted between Oct. 29 and Nov. 6.