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Poll: Half of Iraqis Want Democracy
Mon Jun 28, 5:29 PM ET LONDON - Nearly 60 percent of Iraqis surveyed believe U.S.-led forces were wrong to invade Iraq, but half think that democracy is what their country needs most, according to a poll released Monday. Typical Arab disconnect. "[H]alf think that democracy is what their country needs most" but "U.S.-led forces were wrong to invade Iraq." How the hell else were they going to get democracy, by digging it out of one of their innumerable mass graves? But the poll also found that nearly 60 percent believe that the United States must help rebuild Iraq if it wants the countryâs interim government succeed. But theyâre still not entirely grateful for having their sorry @sses rescued from Saddamâs tender mercies. The initial results of the latest poll were published as the coalition transferred sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government in Baghdad two days earlier than expected. The poll â conducted by Oxford Research International and funded by the University of Oxford â included interviews with 3,002 Iraqis across Iraq between May 19 and June 14. The margin of error was 1.82 percent. Asked what Iraq needs in the next five years, 50 percent said democracy. Asked about the invasion of Iraq in the spring of 2003, 59 percent said it was somewhat wrong or absolutely wrong, while 41 percent said it was somewhat or absolutely right. Statistically, thatâs a wash, but it still reflects a massive lack of support for those that deposed a murderous tyrant in their name. More than 80 percent of Iraqis said they have no confidence in U.S. and British forces. Asked about their presence in Iraq, 58 percent opposed it, and 42 percent supported it. Asked to characterize the forces, 72 percent called them either occupiers or exploiters, while nearly 28 percent called them liberators or peacekeepers. If establishing forward bases in Iraq wasnât such a high priority, Iâd just as soon deliver Iraq into the hands of Iran and give them an ultimate taste of what "occupiers or exploiters" are all about. Sadly, right now we are obliged to maintain a presence in order to thwart Iranâs nuclear aspirations and begin slapping Syria around. Having a solid listening post in place for Saudi Arabia isnât such a bad idea either. It seems nearly impossible to accomplish even the most minor sort of diplomatic triumphs without offending Arab sensibilities. In the long run, this one feature alone may well prove the ultimate poison pill to any sort of constructive collaboration with Islamic Middle Eastern governments. The glass jaw of humiliation that is firmly embedded in so many Arabic cultures makes impossible meaningful exchange of any sort. Secular cultures must never be so foolish as to accommodate constant Arab demands for kid glove treatment while they themselves continue to run roughshod over every peaceful overture. Posted by: Zenster 2004-06-29 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=36709 |