----- Original Message ----- From: "Gautam Mukunda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 3:03 PM Subject: Re: EU Warns Iraq It Faces 'Last Chance'
> As for British polling data, let me point you to: > http://chicagoboyz.blogspot.com/2003_02_01_chicagoboyz_archive.html#8929976 8 BTW, I finally went back up the line to see if there was a new poll and found that these folks did selective editing. Here is the entire poll: Q1. Do you believe that the UK should take part in a war against Iraq? Only with a fresh mandate from the UN 40% Without a fresh mandate for war from the UN 9% Not go to war, with or without a fresh mandate from the UN 45% Don't know 6% Q2. Which, if any, of the following do you think apply to Tony Blair? He acts as the foreign minister of the US and does anything that Bush wants him to do 43% He does what he believes to be right for Britain 46% Both 6% Neither of these 1% Don't know 4% Q3. Which of the following do you think is the main reason that America and Britain want to attack Iraq? To secure oil supplies 28% To depose Saddam as leader of Iraq 24% To eliminate Saddam's weapons of mass destruction 23% To help prevent another act of international terrorism like September 11th 20% None of these 1% Don't know 4% Q4. France and Germany have suggested sending three times the present number of inspectors to Iraq to look for weapons of mass destruction. America says Saddam is not co-operating, the inspectors are now a "diversion and not a solution". Which of the following comes closest to your own view? Sending many more weapons inspectors to Iraq is a good plan 50% Sending many more weapons inspectors is a diversion and not a solution 44% Don't know 6% Q5. Do you feel that the British and American governments have proved their case that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction? Yes 33% No 60% Don't know 7% Q6. If there is military action against Iraq, how long do you think fighting will last? A few days 3% A week or 2 7% Up to a month 10% 1 month to 3 months 14% 3-6 months 14% 6 months to a year 14% Longer than that 16% Don't know 21% Q7. Do you think a war against Iraq would or would not.;.. Remove Saddam Hussein from power Yes, would 54% No, would not 37% Don't know 9% Deter other countries from developing weapons of mass destruction Yes, would 31% No, would not 64% Don't know 5% Deter terrorist groups from attacking America or Britain in the future Yes, would 20% No, would not 76% Don't know 4% Damage relations with the Muslim community in Britain Yes, would 75% No, would not 19% Don't know 6% Q8. Do you believe that there are links between Saddam Hussein's regime and Al Qaeda and associated terror groups? Yes 56% No 27% Don't know 17% Q9. It has been said that September 11th showed the "dangers of waiting until it's too late" to take military action against terrorist groups or dangerous states. Do you agree or disagree? Agree 51% Disagree 42% Don't know 7% I've also thought about your point that the UK opinion of the Falklands war turned around after victory. I think that's a different situation. Few people expect the US to lose, and many of those that believe many civilians would be killed in an attack will believe that many were, no matter what. Every indication is that the US will occupy Iraq for years. People will denounce US imperialism for it. IMHO, that will be enough to keep the public mood in GB and continental Europe from favoring the US. A survey of Europe is given at http://www.gallup-international.com/surveys.htm Its interesting that the Spanish government is bucking overwhelming public opinion to back the US. I'm not sanguine that the US's image will be turned around enough to make Spain's support popular after a victory. I think the underlying question is the fear that, unrestrained, the US will give into temptation and use its power for its own good instead of the global good. You've mentioned this yourself. That fear doesn't of course, justify comparing Bush to Hitler, but it does tend to indicate that an American victory and occupation of Iraq will do less than you suggest it will to change public opinion outside of the US. Dan M. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
