While the press wants to paint an image of hell on earth, the Iraqi people themselves tell a different story.
Right-track numbers
More significantly, when asked if life is good for them personally, an astounding 71% of the Iraqi people say Yes.
"There are positive political signs as well. Three-quarters of Iraqis express confidence in the national elections being held this week, 70 percent approve of the new constitution, and 70 percent — including most people in Sunni and Shiite areas alike — want Iraq to remain a unified country.Preference for a democratic political structure has advanced, to 57 percent of Iraqis, while support for an Islamic state has lost ground, to 14 percent (the rest, 26 percent, chiefly in Sunni Arab areas, favor a "single strong leader.")
Whatever the current problems, 69 percent of Iraqis expect things for the country overall to improve in the next year — a remarkable level of optimism in light of the continuing violence there. However, in a sign of the many challenges ahead, this optimism is far lower in Sunni Arab-dominated provinces, where just 35 percent are optimistic about the country's future."
There are some negative numbers as well, with the US military presence growing less popular. This makes sense -- with most of the country stabilized, the need for having Americans there becomes less tangible to people and it's only natural to want your country to yourself.
Posted by Discoshaman at décembre 12, 2005 08:22 PM | TrackBack