IRAQ: People in northern Iraq would prefer to be governed under a United Nations mandate if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is deposed, according to an opinion poll.
The poll, conducted by the Irbil-based Iraqi Institute for Democracy, a non-governmental organisation, showed that 47.2 per cent of Iraqis living in three northern towns, Dohuk, Irbil and Zakho would prefer, "in the transitional period, after the dictatorship is fallen, and until the national general elections", to be ruled by the UN.
Some 20 per cent supported an opposition government, while 32.8 per cent said they would prefer to be governed by a US military general. Some 600 people were polled, from a variety of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Mr Hussain Sinjari, the president of the institute, said: "I'm shocked the opposition got 20 per cent. I thought they would get 3-5 per cent."
He attributed the better-than-expected showing to the success of a high-profile opposition conference held in London in mid-December, which gave the fractious opposition an opportunity to put on a show of unity.
"Of course there has to be a role for the opposition until the process of democratisation is in place," said Mr Dilshad Miran, a senior official from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the largest Kurdish opposition party.
Mr Sinjari, who also owns the only independent Iraqi newspaper, Al-Ahali, said people inside Iraq strongly support a US-led attack to depose Saddam Hussein.
"I hear it all the time. Even members of the Baath ruling party, even mukhabarat intelligence officials." Mr Sinjari pointed out that many poll respondents favoured US military rule, despite US support for sanctions against Iraq, despite the prospect of a US-led attack, and despite US support for Israel, which are viewed negatively by Iraqis.
The New York Times recently published leaked details of US plans for administering and democratising Iraq after Saddam is ousted.
The plans call for a heavy American military presence in the country for at least 18 months, and the appointment of a civilian administrator, possibly designated by the UN.
The Iraqi opposition yesterday postponed until next month what would have been its first congress on Iraqi soil for 10 years. A 65-member grouping had been due to meet in the Kurdish-controlled town of Salaheddin, northern Iraq, this week.