Poll shows citizens alienated by occupying forces

IRAQ:On the fourth anniversary of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, its citizens are deeply insecure and increasingly alienated by the presence of foreign forces in their country.

A survey of 2,000 people in all of Iraq's 18 provinces reveals that 51 per cent overall and 80 per cent in Baghdad say that the security situation is bad. Seventy-eight per cent oppose the deployment of US and allied troops and 69 per cent believe their presence worsens the security situation.

Only 18 per cent have confidence in these forces, while 51 per cent believe that attacks on them are justified. Paradoxically, 63 per cent take the view that foreign troops should leave only after security is improved and Iraq's governing institutions have been strengthened.

An overwhelming majority of those questioned say that the necessities of modern life are lacking while 79 per cent say that the availability of jobs is quite bad or very bad. Only 3 per cent believe that the availability of jobs is very good.

A total of 88 per cent of respondents throughout the country say that the electricity supply is bad, while 100 per cent in Baghdad take this view. When asked about clean water supply, 69 per cent overall and 100 per cent in the capital describe it as bad.

On freedom to choose where they wish to live, 77 per cent say that the situation is bad, while the figure is 96 per cent in Baghdad. Shias are generally more positive than Sunnis and the situation in the Kurdish north is regarded as better than in the centre and south of Iraq.

A total of 56 per cent do not believe Iraq is in the grip of a civil war and 58 per cent favour a unified Iraq. Almost all take the view that Iraq should not be broken up into sectarian or ethnic states.

Support for democracy has fallen from 57 per cent in 2005 to 43 per cent now, while growing numbers - 34 per cent compared to 26 per cent in 2005 - support an authoritarian leader. The level of optimism has fallen from 64 per cent in 2005 to 45 per cent today. Nevertheless, Iraqis predict that their lives will be better in five years' time.

The poll, commissioned by the BBC and the ABC television network in the US, was conducted between February 25th and March 15th by Iraqi researchers, who interviewed respondents from all communities, according to their representation in the population.