THE US, THE UN AND THE IRAQIS THEMSELVES, V. 7.0

10. Public Support for Iraq War Collapsing Majority of...
Public Support for Iraq War Collapsing
Majority of Americans want to Bring Some Troops Home

Zogby international found that in late February the percentage of Americans who felt that the Iraq War was worth the cost plummeted by 20 percent. Is this because of the further $83 billion Bush requested for Iraq? If so, the support is likely to fall a good deal further, since this thing is not getting any cheaper.

Question: Do you think the war in Iraq is worth its costs?

Feb. 25-27

Worth it 39%

Not worth it 54%


Feb. 14-17

Worth it 52%

Not worth it 46%

Moreover, a majority of Americans now believes that the US should begin withdrawing troops from Iraq, according to a Marist College Institute poll of last week. This poll confirms the Zogby finding that a majority now says that the war was not worth it. A majority of Americans now also questions whether Iraq will be a "stable democracy" any time soon.

This poll also shows that Americans know very well that neither Iran nor Syria constitutes a threat to the US. Interestingly, more Americans think Iraq still poses a threat to the US than think Iran does (10 percent versus 8 percent). Interestingly, the perception of a threat from Syria has fallen to almost nothing from 12 percent two years ago. You have to wonder if the revelations about Iraq's lack of WMD and of the ramshackle state of its government and military have taught us all a lesson about seeing threats realistically. (David Wurmser will be upset at this attitude toward Syria, since he's been trying to get up a US war against Damascus).

BAGHDAD, Iraq --The Multi-National Force-Iraq announced March 8 that its subordinate command, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq has assembled a team, led by Brig. Gen. Peter Vangjel, to conduct a follow-on investigation into the circumstances surrounding the March 4 incident during which US Forces fired on a vehicle approaching a coalition check point on airport road in Baghdad. Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena was wounded and Italian security specialist Nicola Calipari was killed during the incident. The follow-on investigation to the Multi-National Division-Baghdad commander's initial inquiry into the incident is expected to take approximately three to four weeks to complete. The command is working closely with the US Embassy and Italian officials have been invited to participate.
The members of the Multi-National Force-Iraq extend their deepest sympathies to the family of Nicola Calipari who was killed in the incident.

TEXT FOR RELEASE AND OPSEC REVIEW PROVIDED BY THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT (703) 270-0279, 0299, 0321, 0319, 0273, 0320.


Release #050308d

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Multi-National Forces - Iraq regrets the death of Jr. Sgt. Gardi Gardev from Bulgaria. Officials from 1st Corps Support Command are investigating the incident. More details will be provided when they are available.

MNF-I values greatly our partnership with Bulgaria in helping the Iraqis achieve democracy. We are committed to working with our Bulgarian partners to determine the cause of Jr. Sgt. Gardi's death.


TEXT FOR RELEASE AND OPSEC REVIEW PROVIDED BY THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT (703) 270-0279, 0299, 0321


Release #050308e

ITALY DIDN'T PLAN SAFE ESCAPE FOR HOSTAGE

This could prove embarrassing to the Italians.

He [Fini, Italian foreign minister] said [today in the lower chamber of the Italian parliament] Calipari arrived in Baghdad on Friday afternoon after establishing contact with the kidnappers. He checked in with U.S. authorities at the airport before driving off with an Italian colleague to meet an Iraqi middleman.

The middleman took them to Sgrena, who was seated in the wreckage of a car, dressed in black robes and wearing a mask.

On the drive back to the airport, the Italians left the lights on in the car to help identify them to U.S. checkpoints.

As they neared the airport, the car slowed to about 40-km/h because the road was wet and because the driver had to make a sharp turning. Half way around the curve, a searchlight picked out the car and guns opened fire for 10-15 seconds, Fini said.

The intelligence officer who survived the attack was forced to kneel in the road until the soldiers realised who he was.

"Two young Americans approached our officer and, demoralised, repeatedly apologised for what had happened," Fini said.

Seems to me he is stating what he has been told before the facts have come in. That's generally a bad idea for a politician, don't you think?

Seems to me he is stating what he has been told before the facts have come in. That's generally a bad idea for a politician, don't you think?

Quote:

Seems to me he is stating what he has been told before the facts have come in. That's generally a bad idea for a politician, don't you think?

You should CC this to Bush and Rumsfeld. They could use the tip.

Cycloptichorn

On February 25, The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll reports:


Bring them home: A majority of Americans think the U.S. should withdraw at least some troops from Iraq.

Question Wording: What do you think the United States should do about its number of troops in Iraq: send more, keep the same number, withdraw some, or withdraw all troops from Iraq?

Americans
February 2005

Send More 12%

Keep Same Number 24%

Withdraw Some 23%

Withdraw All Troops 33%

Unsure 8%


Second thoughts? A majority of Americans think the war in Iraq is not worth it.

Question Wording: All in all, do you think the war in Iraq is worth it or not?

Americans
February 2005

Worth It 43%

Not worth It 53%

Unsure 4%


A long road to democracy ahead: Americans are not optimistic about the realization of a stable democracy in Iraq in the near future. Only about one in three Americans believe a stable democracy in Iraq will emerge in the next two years.

Question Wording: Two years from now, do you think it is very likely, likely, not very likely, or not likely at all that Iraq will be a stable democracy?


Americans
February 2005


Very Likely 6%

Likely 28%

Not Very Likely 39%

Not Likely at All 22%

Unsure 5%


Americans see other imminent threats in the world: Many Americans see North Korea as the biggest foreign threat facing the United States.

Question Wording: Which one of the following do you see as the biggest foreign threat facing the United States today?

Americans


February 2005

North Korea 43%

Al Qaeda 24%

Iraq 10%

Iran 8%

Syria 2%


November 2004

North Korea 22%

Al Qaeda 43%

Iraq 11%

Iran 9%

Syria 1%


May 2003

North Korea 38%

Al Qaeda 22%

Iraq 9%

Iran n.a.

Syria 12%
Sun, Mar 6, 2005 0:06