Afghan war unpopular in Britain

LONDON, April 22 (UPI) -- Sixty percent of the British public believes getting involved in the international military effort in Afghanistan was a mistake, a poll released Thursday said.

Fewer than one-third, 32 percent, say they support the military mission, Angus Reid Public Opinion said.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was President George W. Bush's strongest international ally, sending the second-largest military contingents to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Public support for Blair's policies, especially in Iraq, was always weak.

An Angus Reid poll in the United States released earlier this week found just over half U.S. adults support the Afghan mission, while 39 percent oppose it.

Twelve percent in Britain believe the Afghan effort will end in a clear victory over the Taliban, while 32 percent predict negotiations giving the Taliban a minor role in government. Sixteen percent believe the Taliban will achieve a major role, and 9 percent expect a complete Taliban victory.

Angus Reid conducted an online survey of 2006 members of its Springboard U.K. panel between April 9 and April 12. The poll has a margin of error of 2.2 percent.