A new opinion poll indicates a majority of people in several U.S.-allied countries do not believe it is the role of the United States to spread democracy around the world, a theme President Bush has made central to his second term in office.

The AP-Ipsos poll surveyed about 1,000 adults in nine countries - Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and the United States.

The poll results come as President Bush continues a five-day European tour to boost transatlantic ties and the promotion of freedom around the globe.

The poll finds that 84 percent of those surveyed in France believe it should not be the U.S. role to spread democracy in the world, and 78 percent of Germans and two-thirds of Britons also rejected the idea.

A majority of people in Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico and South Korea were also opposed.

Roughly 53 percent of Americans say the United States should not be trying to spread democracy abroad, while 43 percent believe their country should do so.