Who believes the following?

Building Democracy in Iraq and Other Absurdities
By STEPHEN GOWANS


-Foreign troops should leave Iraq immediately.

-The US occupation authority, and the Iraqi Governing Council, should be disbanded just as quickly.

-An interim government should be appointed, not by the UN, not by the US, not by the occupation authority, and not by the Iraqi Governing Council, but by Iraqis themselves.

-Elections should follow, to be organized, run and supervised by Iraqis, not the UN, and definitely not the US.

-The rebellion led by Moqtada Sadr against occupation forces is justifiable and worthy of support.


Answer: A majority of Iraqis, according to a recent poll conducted for the US occupation authority <"80% in Iraq Distrust Occupation Authority," The Washington Post, May 13, 2004.>.

http://www.counterpunch.org/gowans05142004.html

The poll of Iraqi opinions: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/daily/graphics/iraqipoll_051304.html


Me Book

that was taken *before* the AG abuse/torture scandal broke?

We will not allow an extreme Islamic power to take over Iraq. Right or wrong it ain't gunna happen.

An Iraqi government will be portrayed as "extremist" (and hence "unacceptable") if:

(i) it insists on nationalized oil resources;
(ii) it does not allow the US to open the 4000 person "embassy" in Bagdad;
(iii) it does not sign favorable military base treaties with the US;
(iv) it normalizes relations with Iran;
etc. etc.

In short, anything except a US client state will be portrayed as "extremist".

...This war was all about occupation, empire and control of the world's 2nd largest oil reserve, so that will not happen in the foreseeable future, if ever.

"who cares what they think?"

By Wendy S. Ross
Washington File White House Correspondent

Washington -- President Bush said November 17 that the United States will not pull out of Iraq when a provisional government is established there.

Bush made the promise in a meeting in the Oval Office with five prominent Iraqi women who told the president of the hardships they had suffered under Saddam Hussein.

"I assured these five women that America wasn't leaving," Bush said.

"When they hear me say we're staying, that means we're staying," Bush said.

>>>>>>>>

The Iraqi people have indicated in a number of different ways, he said, such as opinion polls and statements by Governing Council representatives, "that they want us to stay until the job is finished. And part of that job is making sure that we have a secure environment for the Iraqi people.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=November&x=20031117181524ssorw0.760586&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html


Interview of President Bush by Sir David Frost on BBC TV

Iraqis "need to know that we won't leave the country prematurely," said President Bush in an interview with David Frost on BBC TV that was broadcast November 16. "They need to know two things: We're not going to cut and run; and two, we believe they have the capacity to run their own country."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, you've got to know I don't pay attention to polls. I just don't.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=November&x=20031117152622samohtj0.8043939&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html