Liberation Poll: Iraqis Have Zero Confidence in U.S. Occupation

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_843216.html

Iraqis 'have no confidence in coalition troops'

The vast majority of Iraqis have no confidence in coalition troops, the
first national survey of Iraq has shown.

In the poll of more than 3,000 homes across Iraq, 79% said they had no
confidence in US and UK forces - and 73% had no faith in the Coalition
Provision Authority. Just 8% said they trusted US and UK troops.

But the seemingly contradictory results also reveal people's feelings of
instability in post-war Iraq with 78% of those asked also saying they
"mistrusted Iraqi political parties".

Researchers from Baghdad and Dohuk Universities carried out 3,244
interviews. The poll set out some of the hopes for peace and normality, the
fears and aspirations of the Iraqi people. It was co-ordinated by Dr
Christopher Sahm, of Oxford University.

When asked to report in their own words the best and worst experience of the
past 12 months, Iraqis overwhelmingly agree on two answers; the best thing -
the fall of Saddam's regime (42%); and the worst thing - the war, bombings
and defeat (35%).

Asked about the future, 95% believe an Iraqi-run democracy is the way
forward, but they are divided on how and with which party. Some 54% do not
want a UN transition government but they are clear (64% against) they do not
want any role played by Paul Bremer's Coalition Provision Authority.

The survey also found 70% believed religious and moral issues were down to
the individual or the family.

Top priorities highlighted were: desire for jobs, public security and a
fight against crime (98%). Eight out of 10 people were against any form of
violent struggle, and only one person in the 3,244 said they thought "dying
for Islam" was important.

Most are also apathetic about politics with no interest in joining a
political party (77%), while 91% are against pursuing former members of
Saddam's government and just 4% want to increase oil production.

Foreign secretary Jack Straw said recently that life in Iraq had improved,
and he may be heartened to see from the survey that Iraqis asked are not
particularly unhappy - they score an average of 5.7 out of 10 (Moldova
scored 3.7 in a recent survey and neighbouring Turkey 6.3).
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"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so
long as I'm the dictator." - GW Bush 12/18/2000.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that
we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic
and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt

"I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of
Iraq."
-- Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz,