From The Associated Press, 12/3/03:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-iraq-poll,0,2997833.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
By WILL LESTER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON --
With attacks increasing in Iraq and terrorists striking elsewhere in
the region, a solid majority of Americans now say they do not think
the war that topped Saddam Hussein has reduced the threat of
terrorism, a poll says.
Seven in 10 felt that way, according to the survey released Wednesday
by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of
Maryland. Other organizations' polling from last spring found about
half with that opinion.
"It's becoming harder for the public to see how this is helping," said
Steven Kull, who directed the survey.
"They are seeing terrorist attacks in Iraq, the situation in
Afghanistan isn't getting better."
Kull said his research has found that "there's a perception that in
the world as a whole and in the Arab world there's a growing negative
feeling toward the U.S."
The poll found strong support, 71 percent, for the United Nations'
taking the lead to help establish a stable government in Iraq.
That compares with half the respondents in April.
"We're seeing growing impatience with the operation in Iraq, leading
to greater support for putting the operation under the control of the
United Nations," said Kull, program director.
The public's belief that there is evidence that the deposed Iraqi
leader was working with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist
organization is gradually diminishing.
More than half in June thought there was evidence of a link, while
that has dropped to 43 percent now.
More than half in the poll, 56 percent, say they do not think the war
in Iraq will result in greater peace and stability in the Middle East.
In April, about the same number said they thought the Iraq efforts
would leader to greater peace and stability in that region.
President Bush and administration officials frequently say the efforts
in Iraq are central to winning the fight against terrorism.
Attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq have been sharply increasing throughout
the fall and terrorists have struck targets in Turkey and Saudi Arabia
in recent weeks.
Despite apparent uneasiness with the U.S. military presence in Iraq,
two-thirds said they do not think American troops should withdraw
until there is a stable government.
That is a drop of 14 percentage points from April, however.
That Iraqi government would not have to be friendly to the United
States, in their view.
Four in five respondents agreed that Iraqis should be able to choose
their own government, even if that government is unfriendly to the
United States.
The poll of 712 people was conducted by Knowledge Networks from Nov.
21-30 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage
points.
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Harry
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