Washington: Most Americans think this week's report from General David H. Petraeus will exaggerate progress in Iraq, and few expect it to result in a major shift in President Bush's policy. But despite scepticism about the Petraeus testimony and majority support for a US troop reduction in Iraq, there has also been a slight increase in the number who see the situation there as improving.
The findings, from a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, underscore the depth of public antipathy toward the Iraq war, doubts about the administration's policies and limited confidence in the Iraqi government to meet its commitments to restore civil order.
Fifty-eight per cent, a new high, said they want to decrease the number of US military forces in Iraq. And most of those who advocated a troop reduction said they want the drawdown to begin either right away or by the end of the year. A majority, 55 per cent, supported the legislation that would set a deadline of next spring for the withdrawal of American combat forces. That figure is unchanged from July.
Few supporters
Most said the buildup has not made much difference and a majority said they do not expect the troop increase to improve the security situation. Just one-third were confident that the Iraqi government can meet its political and security goals.
At the same time, there has been a six-point increase since July in the percentage of those who said the additional US forces have improved the situation in Iraq (up to 28 per cent) and a nine-point jump in the number who think the buildup will make things better (up to 43 per cent).
Appeal: PM urges neighbours to unite against 'evil'
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki said yesterday his government had made progress on all fronts and urged neighbouring countries to work together to stop what he called 'evil' from destabilising the region.
Addressing a meeting of officials from neighbouring countries and Western powers such as the United States, Al Maliki said his government had made progress 'in all directions'.
- Reuters
