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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Poll sez Iraqis back new leaders |
| 2004-06-25 |
| A large majority of Iraqis say they have confidence in the new interim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi that is set to assume political power on Wednesday, according to a poll commissioned by U.S. officials in Iraq. The results are a significant victory for the United States The previous survey, by the same independent professional polling organization, also showed widespread anger at, or disapproval of, the U.S.-led coalition that has ruled Iraq since the ouster of President Saddam Hussein. The current poll is considered a welcome sign that the new government has not been tainted by association with the United States and may have at least a honeymoon period to prove itself, U.S. officials said. There had been particular concern in Baghdad and Washington that Allawi’s many years in exile before Hussein was ousted and his long-standing association with the CIA would undermine his credibility. But 73 percent of Iraqis polled approved of Allawi to lead the new government, 84 percent approved of President Ghazi Yawar and almost two-thirds backed the new Cabinet. These impressive showings indicate that the new leaders have support spanning ethnic and religious groups, U.S. officials said. "What comes across in the poll and what we’ve sensed for a while is that Iraqis remain open-minded about the new government," a senior coalition official in Baghdad said in an interview. Four out of every five Iraqis expected that the new government will "make things better" for Iraq after the handover, with 10 percent expecting the situation to remain the same and 7 percent anticipating a decline, the poll shows. U.S. officials are particularly encouraged because the poll showed high name recognition for the new leadership, in contrast with In a sign that Iraqis are more optimistic generally about their future after the occupation ends, two-thirds of Iraqis believed the first democratic elections for a new national assembly -- due to be held in December or January -- will be free and fair, the survey shows. Despite the growing number of attacks on Iraqi security forces, including several yesterday, public confidence in the new police and army has reached new highs, the poll shows. Seventy percent of Iraqis polled supported the new army, and 82 percent supported the police. The poll was based on more than 1,000 face-to-face interviews conducted June 9-19 in six major cities that reflect the diverse communities -- Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Diwaniyah, Hilla and Baqubah. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The survey was conducted by an independent group that is not identified by U.S. officials for security reason. The poll was paid for by the Coalition Provisional Authority to get a sense of Iraqi attitudes, U.S. officials said. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #8 As I'm easily lead and very conflicted I do hope they can pull it off. But with the Iran elephant on one side and the Syrian/SA snake on the other. If it is to succeed those two pieces of fake need to be solved. Heard an interesting interview on the Medved show a few days ago. Guys name was Mort something. He and his wife moniter Arab radio/TV. Irans push is to take over the whole swath of land from Iran to SA and punish Sunnies for the centuries of abuse by them. He also said that they will nuke the dome in Jerusalem to end any Jewish ability to rebuild there. Putting an end to that religion(?) The Paleo's would be sacrificed to allan (the greater god, not the same god mind you) He also said that if, get this, Christians or Jews hit mecco and mendocina first then muslims will say that their god is greater and will turn against islam. He thinks that soon the shia in SA will raise up and go for the SA royals and that the royals will be hell bent to have the GI come and fight for them. Me thinks the royals may want to doze the two modestos and put a monkey wrench in irans plans. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-06-25 2:29:40 PM |
| #7 From the statements Allawi has made I don't think we have to worry about him being PC. He seems perfectly willing to be ruthless. My only concern is that he might be power hungry. |
| Posted by: Damn_Proud_American 2004-06-25 10:53:26 AM |
| #6 aren't dealing with PC-bound westerners any more... Lets hope and pray that the new government is sufficiently ruthless against the terrorists. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-06-25 9:53:13 AM |
| #5 The poll was based on more than 1,000 face-to-face interviews conducted June 9-19 in six major cities that reflect the diverse communities -- Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Diwaniyah, Hilla and Baqubah. IE it leaves out the Kurds, making this even better news. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-06-25 9:28:35 AM |
| #4 is just the day Allawi stands up and tells the terrorists they aren't dealing with PC-bound westerners any more... you gotta love the irony! |
| Posted by: Anonymous5333 2004-06-25 4:02:06 AM |
| #3 Remember, the transition has essentially already happened. Allawi, Yawar, etc. are already the public face of the Iraqi future, and have been doing the diplomatic and news circuits. June 30 (July 1, really) is just the day Allawi stands up and tells the terrorists they aren't dealing with PC-bound westerners any more... |
| Posted by: someone 2004-06-25 3:00:43 AM |
| #2 Like these people have any insight about sqwat. Lets be clear here. Iraqis are like a fourth grade class in water colors. It's going to be a big bloody soap opera. Lets not be to bound up in the success of a country that hates its other parts. Jun 30th, a big deal. A very big deal. And although I wish a clean transition, not a chance. Real Politic. And put a bullet into saddams head before that becomes a CNN 24/7 item. Say it was an accident, a faux paus, sans oversight! Whatever, Bill Clinton will do something to change the news cycle. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-06-25 2:00:24 AM |
| #1 This is a golden opportunity for the new Iraqi govt to shine in the sun. All Zarkhawi can do is to kill 100 civilians and injure hundreds more. He gets a couple of coalation soldiers, but cannot put the hurt on the military. If the new govt can hold on and make some headway, it will be a great victory for the Iraqi people. It is sink or swim time for them. Zarkhawi attacking the new govt sets the Iraqi people against the terrorists. We need to back the govt up any way we can, but the Iraqis must realize that they have their dog in this fight. I am very concerned but cautiously optimistic. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-06-25 1:05:24 AM |