US 'surge' Failed, Say Most Iraqis

10 September 2007

London-An overwhelming majority of Iraqis believe that security has deteriorated across the country, despite the US military surge, according to an opinion poll carried out in all 18 provinces.

The survey, jointly commissioned by the BBC, ABC News and Japan's NHK, also suggests that nearly 60 per cent see attacks on US-led forces as justified. This rises to 93 per cent among Sunni Muslims compared to 50 per cent of Shias.

The findings, which coincide with US commander in Iraq, General David Petreus testifying to Congress about the effects of the six- month surge, is seen as a damning critique of American policy and an indication of the pessimism and violence on the ground.

British academic Toby Dodge, who was involved in running the poll, pointed to the fact that so many Iraqis saw no improvement to their safety since the US deployed an extra 30,000 troops earlier this year, bringing their number up to a record of nearly 170,000.

BBC said the findings showed that the overall mood in Iraq is as negative as it has been since the US-led invasion in 2003.

The view of nearly 70 per cent of Iraqis was shared that security was worse in areas covered by the US military 'surge' as well as elsewhere in the country.

Between 67 per cent and 70 per cent of the Iraqis polled believed the surge has hampered conditions for political dialogue and the ability of the government to carry out its work as well as damaging for reconstruction and economic development.

Only 29 per cent thought that the situation will get better in the next year, compared to 64 per cent in a poll carried out in 2005.

It was also reported that the number of people wanting coalition forces to leave immediately had risen since its last survey in February, but added that more than half, 53 per cent, still said they should stay until security improved.

In Britain, the bleak findings come as Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell called for the UK's future role in Iraq to be put at the "top of the political agenda."

Campbell, who opposed the 2003 invasion, has criticized the British government over "closing down debate" about the continued UK presence in Iraq.

"While the strategy followed in Iraq by the United States has been under constant review by the Iraq Study Group, by both houses of Congress, and now General Petraeus, the British government has failed to show the same openness," he said.

"The government has still not explained what military purpose or political objectives are being served by our presence," the Lib Dem leader was quoted saying by the parliamentary news service, epolitix.