82% of Iraqis are "strongly opposed" to occupation

bbcnews: Iraqis 'back attacks on troops'

Millions of Iraqis believe attacks against US and UK troops are justified, the leaked results of a poll conducted for the coalition suggest.

The poll shows 45% of Iraqis believe the attacks are justified. And the figure rises to 65% in Maysan, one of the areas where UK forces operate.

The Ministry of Defence says the poll was conducted in August, which was a "particularly bad month".

But the Lib Dems say the results show the need for an Iraq exit strategy.

The poll, conducted by an Iraqi research team, was leaked to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

The survey suggests:

- 82% of Iraqis are "strongly opposed" to the presence of coalition troops

- Less than 1% of the Iraqi population believes coalition troops are responsible for any improvement in the country

- 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. Read more

db: Sometimes the natives just don't get it. In response to this survey Bush stated 'it's just a snapshot - they were having a bad day' and read the final paragraph of a recent speech to the news cameras:

BUSH: We do know, however, that the defense of freedom is worth our sacrifice. We do know the love of freedom is the mightiest force of history. And we do know the cause of freedom will once again prevail.

May God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

END