Fuente : Centre for Public Opinion & Democracy
http://www.cpod.ubc.ca/

IRAQ: More Americans Think Iraq War A Mistake

/noticias.info/ (Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) – Many Americans believe their government was wrong to order military action against the regime of Saddam Hussein, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 50 per cent of respondents say the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,360 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 10,250 troops have been injured. 59 per cent of respondents say things are going badly for the U.S. in Iraq.

Iraqi voters are set to elect a 275-member transitional National Assembly on Jan. 30. The interim legislative branch is expected to draft a constitution. A new ballot to establish a permanent government has been tentatively scheduled for December.

Last year, a series of pictures depicting the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers appeared in several information sources. A classified U.S. Army report states that some soldiers committed "numerous incidents of criminal abuses" and "grave breaches of international law" at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad.

This week, the military trial of Charles Graner—one of the soldiers allegedly involved in the prisoner abuse scandal—began in Forth Hood, Texas. Graner faces charges of conspiracy, assault, committing indecent acts and other offences. If convicted, he could be sentenced to more than 17 years in a military prison.

Polling Data

In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Iraq, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, or not?

Jan. 2005
Nov. 2004

Yes
50%
47%

No
48%
51%

No opinion
2%
2%


How would you say things are going for the U.S. in Iraq?

Jan. 2005
Dec. 2004
Sept. 2004

Very / Moderately well
40%
40%
46%

Very / Moderately badly
59%
59%
49%

Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,008 American adults, conducted from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.


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