Category: World Service
Date: 28.02.2006
Printable version
More people than not believe the Iraq war has increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks, according to an international survey of public opinion for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service.
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People questioned in 33 out of 35 countries shared this view - an average of 60 per cent, with just 12 per cent believing the war had lessened the risk of terrorism.
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Another 15 per cent thought the war has had no effect either way.
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There was also overall support among those questioned in 20 countries for United States-led forces to withdraw from Iraq in the next few months - although 21 countries (of 34 asked) were in favour of them staying until stability was achieved if this was at the request of the new Iraqi government.
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A total of 41,856 people were questioned between October 2005 and January 2006 by researchers for GlobeScan and the Programme on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA).
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PIPA director Steven Kull said: "Though the Bush administration has framed the intervention in Iraq as a means of fighting terrorism, all around the world most people view it as having increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks.
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"The near unanimity of this asssessment among countries is remarkable in public opinion polling."
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GlobeScan President Doug Miller added: "Citizens worldwide think western leaders have made a fundamental mistake in their war on terror by invading Iraq.
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"And, short of the Iraqi government asking them to stay longer, people think the troops should leave."
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The removal of the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was branded a mistake by those questioned in 21 countries.
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On average, 45 per cent of those questioned believed removing him was a mistake, with 36% supporting the action.
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Greatest criticism came from Argentina (74%) - with strong oppostion also in Spain (65%) and Germany (61%).
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The figure for Britain was 40 per cent, United States 32% and Iraq 23%.
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Strongest support for toppling Saddam came from Iraq (74%), Brazil and Poland (65%) and US (60%). The figure for Britain was 49%.
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In Britain, 77 per cent of those questioned thought the threat of terrorism had risen since the Iraq war - with figures for the US being 55% and Iraq, 75%.
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China topped the list at 85 per cent, followed by South Korea (84%) and Egypt (83%).
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Support for troops to stay until Iraq is stable: Britain (56%); US (58% - highest joint figure with Afghanistan); and Iraq (49%)
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The countries polled were: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sengal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, United States and Zimbabwe.
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