Category: News
Date: 12.12.2005
Printable version
An opinion poll commissioned by the 91Èȱ¬, ABC News and other international media organisations suggests that security is a major concern in the lives of most Iraqis, two and a half years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein - although it also reveals a high level of optimism about the future.
Ìý
An overwhelming majority of those questioned said they considered improved national security to be the main priority for the next 12 months, although many felt secure in their own neighbourhoods.
Ìý
And while many wanted to see American and other foreign forces leaving Iraqi soil, a majority said they should not go until security had been restored, or until the Iraqi security forces were able to operate independently.
Ìý
Asked about the current situation in Iraq, 53% said it was bad and 44% good. But looking forward, there is a remarkable level of optimism.
Ìý
More than two thirds (71%) said things were very good or quite good in their lives these days (70% in 2004) and 64% thought their lives overall would be better in a year from now.
Ìý
Evidence of material improvements for many Iraqis can be seen in the response to questions about ownership of household goods.
Ìý
Compared with a survey of such items in 2003, ownership of televisions has risen from 89% to 99%; satellite dishes for televisions from 32% to 86%; mobile phones from 5% to 62%; cars from 38% to 55%; and fixed line telephones from 26% to 38%.
Ìý
The poll was conducted by Oxford Research International and comprised a national sample of 1,711 Iraqis, interviewed face-to-face between 8 October and 22 November 2005, in 135 sampling points across Iraq.
Ìý
It was commissioned by the 91Èȱ¬ in association with four other media organisations: ABC News, NHK, Time Magazine and Der Spiegel.
Ìý
A similar poll was carried out by ORI for the 91Èȱ¬ in the spring of 2004, one year after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Ìý
The findings of the new poll are published three days before Iraqis vote in the first free democratic elections in the country's history for a long-term government.
Ìý
They show a strong level of support (70%) for a united Iraq with a central government in Baghdad. However, a similar number (71%) are in favour of the new constitution, which was approved in October 2005. And 76% are confident that this week's elections would create a stable government.
Ìý
There were mixed views as to what form that government should take. There is an appetite for a balance between both strong leadership and a democratic system.
Ìý
A little over half of those questioned (51%) said a single strong leader was required, and 28% thought what was needed was a democracy.
Ìý
But when they were then asked what the country needed in five years' time, support for a strong leader fell to 31% and that for a democracy rose to 45%.
Ìý
PR
Ìý
