As US President Bush plunges into Middle East diplomacy, a survey of 20 nations and the Palestinian Authority shows widespread distrust of his leadership, skepticism in the region about his plan for peace and less regard for the United States around the world.

The survey, sponsored by the non-partisan Pew Research Center, found that feelings in Muslim countries were particularly inflamed in the wake of the war with Iraq. In seven of eight Muslim countries, majorities said they feared a U.S. military invasion.

In Indonesia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, majorities said they had confidence in Osama bin Laden to ''do the right thing in world affairs.'' Nearly half of those in Morocco and Pakistan agreed.

The poll portrays the United States as increasingly isolated, compared with the findings in a 44-nation Pew survey last year. The project is one of the few attempts to systematically measure global attitudes. The repercussions could affect not only U.S. foreign policy but also the ease with which Americans travel and U.S. businesses compete around the globe.

Madeleine Albright, who chairs the project and was President Clinton's secretary of State, called ''the anti-American aspects of this very troubling.''

White House spokesman Scott McClellan cited ''some positive numbers'' in the poll, including support throughout the Muslim world for Western-style democracy and free markets.

Among the findings:

* The rift with Europe has widened. Majorities in five of seven NATO countries want less dependence on the United States.

* Support for the war on terrorism has declined, and the standing of the United Nations has plummeted.

* Bush is blamed by many. In 17 of 20 nations, those who hold negative views about the United States are more likely to say the problem is Bush rather than the country generally.

The findings underscore the difficulties ahead for Bush in the Middle East. He met with Arab leaders Tuesday and sits down with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday to urge progress on the U.S.-backed ''road map.'' It envisions creation of a Palestinian state to exist side by side with Israel by 2005.

But 80% of those in the Palestinian Authority said co-existence isn't possible. But in Israel, 68% of Jews and 62% of Arabs said it is possible.

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