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| Pessimism 'growing among Iraqis' | Pessimism 'growing among Iraqis' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A new survey carried out in Iraq suggests people are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the future and unhappy about their lives. | A new survey carried out in Iraq suggests people are becoming increasingly pessimistic about the future and unhappy about their lives. |
| Less than 40% of those polled said things were good in their lives, compared to 71% two years ago. | Less than 40% of those polled said things were good in their lives, compared to 71% two years ago. |
| However, a majority of those questioned said that, despite daily violence, they did not believe Iraq was in a state of civil war. | However, a majority of those questioned said that, despite daily violence, they did not believe Iraq was in a state of civil war. |
| More than 2,000 people took part in the BBC/ABC News poll. | More than 2,000 people took part in the BBC/ABC News poll. |
| Iraq poll in graphics Poll analysis: Lessons for US The poll paints a picture of an increasingly polarised Iraq, with acutely diverging views between Sunni Arabs and Shias - Sunnis appearing more pessimistic. | |
| There are also regional differences, with pessimism most keenly felt across central Iraq, including Baghdad, where Sunni Arabs are most numerous. | There are also regional differences, with pessimism most keenly felt across central Iraq, including Baghdad, where Sunni Arabs are most numerous. |
| But despite their differences, 58% overall said they wanted Iraq to remain a unified country. Almost all said they did not want Iraqi to be broken up along sectarian lines. | But despite their differences, 58% overall said they wanted Iraq to remain a unified country. Almost all said they did not want Iraqi to be broken up along sectarian lines. |
| The poll produced conflicting views on the role of the US and its allies. | The poll produced conflicting views on the role of the US and its allies. |
| Only 18% said they had confidence in US and coalition troops, and 51% said they thought attacks on coalition forces were justified. | Only 18% said they had confidence in US and coalition troops, and 51% said they thought attacks on coalition forces were justified. |
| However, only 35% said foreign troops should leave Iraq now. A further 63% said they should go only after security has improved. | However, only 35% said foreign troops should leave Iraq now. A further 63% said they should go only after security has improved. |
| 'Deteriorating lives' | 'Deteriorating lives' |
| The poll was commissioned by the BBC, ABC News, ARD German TV and USA Today. It was conducted by D3 Systems. | The poll was commissioned by the BBC, ABC News, ARD German TV and USA Today. It was conducted by D3 Systems. |
| People were questioned in more than 450 neighbourhoods and villages across all 18 provinces between 25 February and 5 March. | People were questioned in more than 450 neighbourhoods and villages across all 18 provinces between 25 February and 5 March. |
| The findings contrast sharply with those of a similar poll in 2005, a year when elections were taking place. | The findings contrast sharply with those of a similar poll in 2005, a year when elections were taking place. |
| Asked now whether they thought reconstruction efforts in Iraq had been effective, some 67% said they felt they had not. | Asked now whether they thought reconstruction efforts in Iraq had been effective, some 67% said they felt they had not. |
| And just 38% said the situation in the country was better than before the 2003 war, while 50% said it was worse. | And just 38% said the situation in the country was better than before the 2003 war, while 50% said it was worse. |
| Many said the quality of their lives was deteriorating, with a particularly high proportion (88%) saying electricity and fuel supplies were poor. | Many said the quality of their lives was deteriorating, with a particularly high proportion (88%) saying electricity and fuel supplies were poor. |
| READ THE FINDINGS Iraq Poll 2007 [468KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Send us your comments | READ THE FINDINGS Iraq Poll 2007 [468KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Send us your comments |
| Security remains a serious concern, with only 26% saying they felt safe in their own neighbourhoods. | Security remains a serious concern, with only 26% saying they felt safe in their own neighbourhoods. |
| More than half of those polled said that they have not gone to markets or crowded areas and often stayed at home in order to avoid trouble. | More than half of those polled said that they have not gone to markets or crowded areas and often stayed at home in order to avoid trouble. |
| Many said they often stopped their children from going to school. | Many said they often stopped their children from going to school. |
| Ethnic divide | Ethnic divide |
| Ethnic differences were particularly evident in attitudes towards the execution of Saddam Hussein, who was a Sunni leader in a predominantly Shia state. | Ethnic differences were particularly evident in attitudes towards the execution of Saddam Hussein, who was a Sunni leader in a predominantly Shia state. |
| WAS US RIGHT TO INVADE IRAQ? Absolutely right: 2007: 22% 2005: 19% 2004: 20%Somewhat right: 2007: 25%2005: 28%2004: 29%Somewhat wrong: 2007: 19%2005: 17%2004: 13%Absolutely wrong:2007: 34%2005: 33%2004: 26%Refused/don't know:2007: 0%2005: 4%2004: 13% | WAS US RIGHT TO INVADE IRAQ? Absolutely right: 2007: 22% 2005: 19% 2004: 20%Somewhat right: 2007: 25%2005: 28%2004: 29%Somewhat wrong: 2007: 19%2005: 17%2004: 13%Absolutely wrong:2007: 34%2005: 33%2004: 26%Refused/don't know:2007: 0%2005: 4%2004: 13% |
| Of Sunni Arabs questioned, more than 95% said they regarded the manner of his death as inappropriate and unlikely to help the cause of reconciliation. | Of Sunni Arabs questioned, more than 95% said they regarded the manner of his death as inappropriate and unlikely to help the cause of reconciliation. |
| Shias predominantly took the opposite view - 82% said the manner of death was appropriate. | Shias predominantly took the opposite view - 82% said the manner of death was appropriate. |
| But considerably fewer - 62% - thought his execution would lead to reconciliation. | But considerably fewer - 62% - thought his execution would lead to reconciliation. |
| A large number of Sunnis, 48%, said they thought Iraq should have a strong leader in five years' time, compared to 46% who said they wanted a democracy. | A large number of Sunnis, 48%, said they thought Iraq should have a strong leader in five years' time, compared to 46% who said they wanted a democracy. |
| Only 11% of Shias sought a strong leader, with 52% calling for democracy and 37% for an Islamic state. | Only 11% of Shias sought a strong leader, with 52% calling for democracy and 37% for an Islamic state. |