COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll finds that a majority of Americans feel that it is time to try a "new approach to Cuba."

The study indicates most (70%) favor lifting the ban on American travel to Cuba and re-establishing diplomatic relations (a 69% majority of Americans). Freedom for Americans to travel to Cuba is broadly supported by Republicans (62%), Democrats (77%), and independents (66%).

A majority (59%) endorses the view that it is "time to try a new approach to Cuba, because Cuba may be ready for a change." Thirty-nine percent of Americans favor the counter position of continuing current policy, i.e., "the Communist Party is still in control; therefore the US should continue to isolate Cuba."

At the Summit of the Americas convening April 17-19, President Obama will meet leaders from 33 other countries in the hemisphere, most of whom disagree with US policy of isolating Cuba. The American public seems to disagree as well.

By a wide margin, the public believes that increasing trade and travel between the US and Cuba will lead "Cuba in a more open and democratic direction" (71%) rather than have the effect of "strengthening the communist regime in Cuba" (26%).

"US policy towards Cuba is seen as having been ineffectual," observes Stephen Weber of WorldPublicOpinion.org. "The American public believes that contact with the US through normal relations, travel, and trade will produce more change in Cuba than attempts at isolation."

The public by a very large majority approves of the Obama administration policy announced in early March which relaxed restrictions on travel to Cuba for the purpose of visiting relatives (79% approve, 19% disapprove).

Though most Americans think increasing travel and trade will be effective in opening up Cuba, Americans are nonetheless divided about whether the US should end the embargo now: 49 percent favor ending it and 48 percent favor continuing it.

The findings are based upon a nationwide survey conducted March 25 - April 6, 2009 among 765 American adults (margin of error +/- 3.7%). It was fielded by Knowledge Networks using its online panel. This panel is randomly selected from the entire adult population and Internet access is provided to households that need it.

For more information, visit www.WorldPublicOpinion.org

SOURCE Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland

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