IRAQ: POLL SAYS MOST IRAQIS WOULD FEEL SAFER IF U.S.-LED FORCES WERE TO LEAVE COUNTRY.
Record ID:
647245
IRAQ: POLL SAYS MOST IRAQIS WOULD FEEL SAFER IF U.S.-LED FORCES WERE TO LEAVE COUNTRY.
- Title: IRAQ: POLL SAYS MOST IRAQIS WOULD FEEL SAFER IF U.S.-LED FORCES WERE TO LEAVE COUNTRY.
- Date: 18th June 2004
- Summary: (U4) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JUNE 18, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV: STREET IN BAGHDAD 0.05 2. GV.CU: ANTI-AMERICAN GRAFFITI ON WALL UNDER A DAMAGED PORTRAIT OF SADDAM HUSSEIN; VARIOUS OF GRAFFITI READING: 'WE ARE DETERMINED TO LIBERATE BAGHDAD'; 'WE WILL CARRY GUNS TO DEFEND IRAQ'; 'THEIR TANKS ARE THE MUJAHIDIN'S BATTLE FIELD' (5 SHOTS) 0.27 3. GV/MV: IRAQI MEN SITTING IN CAFE; MEN SMOKING WATERPIPE AND TALKING TO EACH OTHER (2 SHOTS) 0.38 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JABAR MAJEED, BAGHDAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "The Americans are not able to reach the Iraqi people. The Americans want to put the Iraqis down and ruin their national reputation, but they have failed in doing so. They have only brought disaster to us, by burning of our ministries and museums." 1.00 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BASET AL NAKASH, ANOTHER BAGHDAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "We are against the Americans and against the American occupation. We hope that the interim government which will take over in a few days, will ensure that the independence of Iraq and the democracy iraq is in Iraqi hands." 1.28 6. MV: MEN SITTING IN CAFE 1.33 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FADEL KHAYAT, BAGHDAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "We are waiting for the Americans to fulfill their promises by leaving our country." 1.43 8. MV/CU/GV/PAN: MEN SITTING IN CAFE; WIDE OF CAFE (3 SHOTS) 2.04 9. VARIOUS: U.S. TROOPS SURROUNDING A HOUSE WHICH THEY RAIDED; DAMAGE INSIDE HOUSE (6 SHOTS) 2.46 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 3rd July 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BAGHDAD; IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVA2CLJKKJ9750G1QOZG80G6230Y
- Story Text: New poll has found most Iraqis say they'd feel safer
with U.S.-led occupiers out.
A new poll commissioned by the Coalition Authority
in Iraq has found most Iraqis have lost confidence in the
U.S.-led occupation and say they would feel safer if
foreign troops left the country.
The poll, conducted in May and obtained by Reuters on
Thursday (June 17), found only 10 percent of Iraqis had
confidence in U.S.-led forces -- down from 28 percent in
January. Fifty-five percent would feel safer if those
troops left Iraq immediately.
U.S. officials have said the results reflect the fact
that Iraqis dislike being occupied, but expect
disenchantment to fade after the formal transfer of
sovereignty to an Iraqi interim government in less than two
weeks.
They have blamed any loss of confidence on almost daily
attacks by insurgents bent on undermining plans for the
U.S.-led occupation to give way to Iraqi rule but some of
Baghdad's residents said that they want the Americans to
leave because they have 'only brought disaster' to the
country.
"The Americans are not able to reach the Iraqi people.
The Americans want to put the Iraqis down and ruin their
national reputation, but they have failed in doing so. They
have only brought disaster to us, by burning of our
ministries and museums" said Jabar Majeed, a Baghdad resident.
With security topping the list of concerns for Iraqis,
67 percent of those polled blamed an increase in violent
attacks around the country on a loss of faith in U.S.-led
forces.
But the poll suggested Iraqis were generally optimistic
about their future. Of the 1,093 Iraqis interviewed
face-to-face in six Iraqi cities, more than 60 percent
thought having an interim government in place would improve
the situation in Iraq.
"We hope that the interim government which will take
over in a few days, will ensure that the independence of
Iraq and the democracy Iraq is in Iraqi hands" Baset Al
Nakash from Baghdad said.
In contrast to the low confidence in the occupying
powers, 62 percent of Iraqis thought it was very likely the
Iraqi police and army would maintain security without
U.S.-led forces.
And despite frequent attacks on Iraqi police and
troops, 51 percent said they were more interested in
joining Iraqi security forces than they were three months
ago.
With the scandal over abuses at Abu Ghraib prison and
on-going raids in Iraq, Washington's image has been
severely damaged in the country.
"We are waiting for the Americans to fulfill their
promises by leaving our country" said Fadel Khayat.
The poll also indicated growing support for rebel
Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who launched an
uprising against U.S. forces in the holy city of Najaf in
April.
Eighty-one percent said their opinion of Sadr, who this
week told his fighters to go home, was better or much
better than it was three months ago. But only 22 of the
1,093 people interviewed would pick him to lead Iraq.
And Saddam Hussein? Thirty-seven Iraqis polled said
they want him back as president.
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