Representative Press Blog

What Do Iraqis Want?
The British ministry of defence did the study, according to their findings:

• 82% are "strongly opposed" to the presence of coalition troops
• less than 1% of the population believes coalition forces are responsible for any improvement in security
• 45% of Iraqis believe attacks against British and American troops are justified - rising to 65% in the British-controlled Maysan province; ( "if that really means "all Iraqis," as reported, then the figure must be considerably higher among Iraqi Arabs." -C)
• 67% of Iraqis feel less secure because of the occupation;
• 43% of Iraqis believe conditions for peace and stability have worsened;
• 72% do not have confidence in the multi-national forces.

"The opinion poll, carried out in August, also debunks claims by both the US and British governments that the general well-being of the average Iraqi is improving in post-Saddam Iraq. The findings differ markedly from a survey carried out by the BBC in March 2004 in which the overwhelming consensus among the 2,500 Iraqis questioned was that life was good. More of those questioned supported the war than opposed it." -Secret MoD poll: Iraqis support attacks on British troops

"We can't find out for sure what Iraqis want -- or what Americans want. But there are some general principles that ought to be observed. One is that invaders have no rights, only responsibilities, and among those responsibilities is to follow the will of the victims (and to provide reparations, trials for the criminals who ordered the invasion, and others). A subsidiary principle is that unless there is strong evidence that the victims want the invaders to remain, they should withdraw. US-UK policy is the opposite, with bipartisan and media support: We decide, and we will "stay the course" as long as we -- not they -- decide to do so." - Chomsky Nov 18, 2005