COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD INFO MEMO March 14, 2004 FOR: THE ADMINISTRATOR FROM: l~....-(b_)(_6) _ _ __. SUBJECT: Surveys Say Iraqi Economy Starting to Come to Life These data are drawn from multiple surveys: 1CRSS January 5-17: Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Babylon, Samara, Karbala, Tikrit 1CRSS February 23-29: Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Babylon, Diyala, Ramadi, Suleymania 1/ACASS January 1-7: Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Ramadi, Samara, Karbala 1/ACASS JanuarylB-25: Baghdad, Basrah, MosuJ, Hl/la, Karbala, Ramadi 1/ACASS February22-29: Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Ramadi, Samara, Karbala All results derivefromface-to-face interviews in the homes of the interviewee and have over 1,000 valid interviews. Where totals are shown for January and February, totals have been adjusted to compare only same-city to same-city results. Economic questions on January and February surveys show growth of confidence in the Iraqi economy in the five to six weeks between the surveys. Improved perceptions of the economy show up various ways: • National Economy Improving "Do you think that the economic situation in Iraq today is better or worse than the economic situation before the war?" Same cities (Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul, Babylon), same question, same methodology from January to February: (both ICRSS) o 20% drop in those who say "worse" o 12% jump in those who say "better" o Movement in the opposite direction in Mosul.1 1 Mosul often reports results out of line with other cities. This holds liVe with different questions from different pollsters. Theories as to why this would be so vary lllld there is no clear explanation, but two theories might explain this variance: 1. Mosul is perhaps less of an economic hub than it was before the war. 2. A lot of (former) military personnel live in Mosul and this may affect outlooks. o-,~~-o'S1 a z ~ The security situation % 20.2 28.7 21.1 29.0 1.0 100.0 The availability af jobs % 6.5 19.1 22.5 46.1 5.8 100.0 The supply af electricity % 7.9 27.0 27.8 36.6 .7 100.0 The availability af clean water % 19.7 30.8 21.7 26.3 1.5 100.0 The availability af medical care % 16.9 34.1 24.4 21.8 2.0 .8 100.0 Local schools % 36.6 34.6 15.0 11.1 2.4 .4 100.0 Local government % 17.8 31.7 20.4 17.7 12.4 100.0 Availability of household basics % 18.0 38.5 23.7 17.3 2.5 100.0 The availability of products and services which 13.7 35.8 26.5 19.6 4.4 100.0 go beyond your household's basic needs % Your family's protection from crime % 21.2 31.5 20.4 23.3 3.7 100.0 [Asks//) Q7 • 8 • Compared to a year ago, I mean before the war in Spring 2003, would you say [start with first rotated item in Q7A] Is much better now, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse or much worse? Base • All resDondents '1ii • '1ii 8 ~ !I iJ =· .. E ~~ "fi~ ii ~.! Cl) o( ~;J ~= li ~~ ~= ~ z The security situation % 25.9 27.7 18.1 15.0 11.4 1.9 100.0 The availability of jobs % 12.4 26.5 30.9 16.2 9.1 4.9 100.0 The supply of electricity % 15.2 28.2 32.0 14.6 8.4 1.6 100.0 The availability of clean water % 17.6 23.7 40.2 10.4 6.0 2.2 100.0 The availability of medical care % 16.2 28.1 37.6 10.7 4.9 2.6 100.0 Local schools % 23.7 23.2 40.8 6.5 2.9 2.9 100.0 Local govemment % 17.3 27.1 29.0 10.7 5.7 10.2 100.0 Availability of household basics % 18.1 28.4 34.6 11.2 5.0 2.7 100.0 The availability of products and services which 15.5 28.7 34.6 11.3 5.6 4.3 100.0 % go beyond your household's basic needs Your family's protection from crime % 23.2 27.3 25.9 12.7 7.9 .3.1 100.0 {Ask all] Q7 • C • What Is your expectation for [start with first rotated item in Q 7 A] a year from now, do you expect it to be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse or much worse? Sue • All resDondents '1ii • '1ii 0 .s:'" .s. ii ei 'SE :s 0 :s l 0 ~~ 1~ "fi~ "!lii li 0.1:'1 o" .a= g i ::EJ Ill c: 1- Cl) o( Cl) z The security situation % 42.2 31.8 10.0 2.7 2.6 10.7 100.0 The availability of jobs % 37.7 35.3 10.6 2.0 1.9 12.5 100.0 The supply of electricity % 40.1 33.7 11.3 2.8 1.8 10.2 100.0 The availability of clean water % 42.8 32.1 12.6 2.3 1.2 9.0 100.0 The availability of medical care % 42.7 31.8 12.0 2.0 1.4 10.1 100.0 Local schools % 44.4 29.6 14.1 1.5 1.0 9.4 100.0 Local government % 40.1 28.9 12.4 2.1 1.7 14.7 100.0 The availability of household basics % 43.2 33.0 10.4 1.9 1.3 10.1 100.0 The availability of products and services which 41.9 32.7 10.4 2.2 1.2 11.5 100.0 go beyond your household's basic needs % Your family's protection from crime % 41.6 33.0 11.3 1.8 1.8 10.6 100.0 5 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL ~~~ [Ask all] QB • A. I am going to read some Ideas about priorities for the next 12 months. Please tell me which one Is your first priority, your second priority and your third priority. Base •All d · respon entlll 1 2- Total PriOI'ItY prioritY % % % % Regaining public security In the country 64.4 13.5 7.0 84.8 Ensuring that oil oroduc~on Increases 2.3 6.7 4.0 13.0 Re'Jivlng the economy 3.2 14.7 9.9 27.8 Deallna wtth the members of the orevious government .5 .9 .4 1.9 Rebuldlng the infrastructure 6.9 26.6 19.2 54.7 Ensuring that most people in this country can make a decent 4.5 8.5 16.7 29.7 livlnc Regaining lracl control over govemlna this country 3.3 5.5 8.2 16.9 Rebulldina the education svstem .9 3.8 5.8 10.5 -ld not be attacked from the outside .9 2.3 4.3 7.5 s Ideals are ollowed 3.3 5.3 7.3 15.11 national government 8.1 8.5 13.5 30.1 ave more say about how things are done .7 .6 2.1 3.3 in their communities DlffocuKtosay 1.1 1.2 1.6 4.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 300.0 pr~rltY [Ask all] QB- Bas e • All respondent~~ B. Also, please tell me which one you think is no priority at all. % Regaining public security in the country - Ensuring that oil production increases Reviving the economy .7 Dealing with the members of the previous government Rebuilding the infrastructure .0 Ensuring that most people in this country can make a decent living Regaining Iraqi control over governing this country Rebuilding the education system .4 Ensuring that Iraq could not be attacked from the outside Ensuring that religious ideals are followed Holding elections for national government Seeing that people have more say about how things are done in their communities 3.1 62.0 .2 .a 1.3 2.3 .8 1.6 Difficult to say 26.6 Total 100.0 6 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Ill (Ask those who mentioned at least one priority in QBA] Q9 - A. Who should take care of [read out first priority mentioned in QBA}? Please mention only one B. Who should take care of [read out second priority mentioned in QBA}? Please mention only one C. Who should take care of [read out third priority mentioned in QBA}? Please mention only one Base==Resp ondents who mentioned at least one' riorltY , .. 2''" 3 Total priority priority priority Army/Police/ Ministry of Interior 6.9 2.9 1.5 11.3 Coalition Forces 4.8 3.8 3.1 11.6 Coalition Forces and Iraqi government .1 .1 .1 .3 CPA .6 .3 .5 1.4 Educated people/experts '1 .4 .3 .9 Governing Council 5.4 5.7 4.4 15.4 Iraq .4 .3 .6 1.4 Iraqi government 33.3 38.1 35.6 106.8 Iraqi government and people .3 .2 .3 .9 Iraqi people 17.3 14.1 14.8 46.1 Iraqi President .5 ,7 .6 1.8 Local government .6 .4 .3 1.3 Political parties .9 .5 .6 2.1 Regional government/leaders .5 .2 .1 .8 Religious leaders 2.7 2.3 2.1 7.1 UN 1.0 1.2 2.1 4.4 USA 7.7 7.2 6.6 21.4 Other 1.3 1.2 1.6 4.1 Not sure/no answer 15,7 20.3 24.6 15.7 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 254.7 7 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Ill Regaining public security In the country- Who should take care ... ~rties % Army/Police/ Ministry of Interior 12.0 5.3 overnment .1 p .6 Educated people/experts .1 Governing Council 4.9 Ira .3 Ira i government 30.9 Ira i government and people .3 Ira i Deoole 18.3 Ira i President .4 Local government .5 .3 ovemmentlleaders .3 eaders .9 UN .6 USA 7.3 Other .9 Not sure/no answer 16.0 Total 100.0 ~ Ensuring that oil production Increases- Who should take Cll/'8 •.. % Anny/Police/Ministry of Interior .2 Coalition Forces 5.1 CPA 1.5 Governing Council 5.0 Ira .8 Ira i government 42.9 Ira 1 people 11.6 Re ional aovernmentlleaders .6 Religious leaders .5 UN .8 USA 7.8 Other .9 Not sure/no answer 22.4 Total 100.0 Reviving the economy- Who should take Cll/'8 ... % Anny/Police/Ministry of Interior .3 Coalition Forces 2.6 Coalition Forces and Iraqi government .1 CPA .4 Educated people/experts .8 Governing Council 5.1 Iraq .4 46.3 ~and people .6 11.8 Iraqi President .6 Local government .3 Political parties .2 Regional government/leaders .3 Religious leaders .1 UN .7 USA 7.1 Other .6 Not sure/no answer 21.6 Total 100.0 8 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Ill Dealing with the memben of the previous government- Who should take care ... % 4.9 Coalition~~ Governing 5.9 30.7 Iraqi people 11.8 Iraqi President 1.6 Political parties 1.3 USA 8.6 Other 5.5 Not sure/no answer 29.7 Total 100.0 Rebuilding the Infrastructure (electricity, water supply, telephone, etc.)- Who should take care ... % Army/Police/Ministry of Interior .4 Coalition Forces s.o CPA .3 Educated people/experts .2 Governing CouncU 5.1 lrao .5 Iraqi government 45.2 I raol government and people .3 lraoi people 10.8 Iraqi President .4 Local government .7 Political parties .1 Regional government/leaders .4 Religious leaders .s UN 1.2 USA 9.0 Other 1.4 Not sure/no answer 18.6 Total 100.0 Ensuring that most people In this country can make a decent living - Who should take care ... % Army/Police/Ministry of Interior .6 Coalition Forces 3.5 Coalition Forces and lraoi oovernment .2 Governing Council 4.4 Ira .6 Ira i oovernment 48.5 Ira !government and people .3 Ira i people 10.6 lraoi President 1.6 Local government .4 Political parties .4 Regional oovernment/leaders .4 Religious leaders .s UN .7 USA 6.2 Other .6 Not sure/no answer 20.4 Total 100.0 9 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Ill Regaining Iraqi control over governing this country- Who should take care ••. % Army/Police/Ministry of Interior 1.1 Coalition Forces 2.3 Coalition Forces and Iraqi government .1 CPA .2 Govemina Council 9.1 Iraq .4 lraai government 25.2 Iraqi government and people .5 Iraqi people 26.2 .7 .1 1.2 ~iii~ UN 3.5 USA 6.6 Other .8 Not sure/no answer 20.0 Total 100.0 Rebuilding the education system- Who should take care ... % Army/Police/Ministry of Interior .3 Coalition Forces 1.3 CPA .7 Educated people/experts 3.0 Governing Council 1.7 lr11q 1.4 Iraqi government 52.4 lraai people 11.8 Local_government .3 Regional government/leaders .9 UN .3 USA 3.6 Other .6 Not sure/no answer 21.6 Total 100.0 Ensuring that Iraq could not be attacked from the outside- Who should take care ... % Army/Police/Ministrv of Interior 2.8 Coalition Forces 8.6 Coalition Forces and lraai Qovernment .3 CPA 1.1 Governing Council 2.8 lraai government 24.3 Iraqi government and people .2 lraai people 13.1 I raCII President 1.8 Local government .7 Religious leaders 1.5 UN 2.2 USA 14.4 Other 2.4 Not sure/no answer 23.8 Total 100.0 1 Q 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. Ill Ensuring that religious Ideals are followed- Who should take care ... % Coalition Forces .2 CPA .7 Educated people/experts .3 Governing Council .0 IraQ .2 lraqi_government 18.2 Iraqi government and people .3 Iraqi people 10.3 IraQi President 1.0 Political parties 6.8 Religious leaders 26.0 UN .2 USA 1.3 Other 5.0 Not sure/no answer 28.3 Total 100.0 Holding e/ec:tlons for national government- Whp should take care ... % Arm_y/Police/Ministry of Interior .3 Coalition Forces 1.6 Coalition Forces and IraQI government .2 CPA .3 Educated people/~s .1 Governing Council 8.7 I rae .6 I rae i Qovernment 18.2 I people 23.9 I rae i President .3 Local aovernment .5 Pol ~leal parties 1.2 Religious leaders 4.4 UN 6.0 USA 5.3 Other 2.2 Not sure/no answer 26.2 Total 100.0 Ira~ Seeing that people have more say about how things are done In their commun/Ues- Who 11hould take care ... % Coalition Forces 2.3 Governing Council 2.5 Ira 2.5 Ira i government 39.7 Ira I people 14.0 Ira I President 1.7 Political parties .8 Religious leaders 1.5 USA 10.5 Other 4.2 Not sure/no answer 20.2 Total 100.0 11 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. ~~ [Ask all} Q1 0 • Considering everything, which country could seNe as a model for Iraq in the coming years? ff you think Iraq needs no model, please tell me so. Sa se • All respondents % Bahrain .4 Eavot .7 France 2.2 Germany 1.8 Iran 2.6 Japan 4.8 Jordan .5 Kuwait 6.1 Lebanon .7 Qatar .4 Russia .4 Saudi Arabia 3.6 Syria 1.3 United Arab Emirates 21.1 United Kingdom 2.3 United states 6.5 European Union .4 Denmark .4 Sweden .5 Switzerland 1.7 Other 2.2 lraondents who are aware of the coalition forces % Strongly support 13.2 Somewhat support 26.3 Somewhat oppose 19.6 Strongly oppose 31.3 Difficult to say 9.6 Total 100.0 25 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Ill [Ask those who heard of the coalition forces- Q14A] Q27 • N you have had personally any encounters with Coalition Force soldiers, was your last encounter very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative? Base • Rf18Pondents who.,.. awai'IJ of the coalition forees % Very positive 3.5 Somewhat positive 5.8 Somewhat negative 2.5 Very negative 5.9 Never had a personal encounter with coalition forces soldiers 77.5 COlfficult to say 4.8 Total 100.0 [Ask all} Q28 • For each of the following, please tell me whether you think it would be very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective or not at all effective In improving security. Base = All ffJSI:Jondents Very Somewhat Not very Not at all Not Total effective effective effective effective sure/no answer Creating job opportunities for the % 91.1 4.9 1.0 .5 2.5 100.0 unemployed Training and hiring more IraQi local police % 76.7 16.7 2.0 1.4 3.3 100.0 Transferring all political authority to an Iraqi % 68.3 18.9 3.7 2.4 6.7 100.0 government Retraining and rehiring military officers and % 39.5 21.0 10.1 20.9 8.4 100.0 soldiers from the old regime Increasing foot patrols of U.S. and coalition % 25.0 21.4 15.1 27.8 10.8 100.0 forces in lraoi neiohbourhoods Immediate departure of coalition forces % 30.2 12.7 14.0 29.8 13.4 100.0 Giving more authority to independent % 23.1 18.7 11.1 31.1 16.0 100.0 neighbourhood militias 26 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL. Ill [Ask those who heard of the coalition forces - Q 14A} Q29 • How long do you think U.S. and other Coalition Forces should remain in Iraq? Bas e • Respondents who are aware of the coalition forces % They should leave now 15.1 They should remain for a few months 8.3 They should remain for six months to a year 6.1 They should remain for more than one year 4.3 They should remain until security is restored 18.3 They should remain until an Iraqi government is in place 35.8 They should never leave 1.5 Difficult to say 10.6 Total 100.0 27 2004 OXFORD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAl. 111 ABC~; w.&o- WRM TWNG~ stAN» Ed1i Ott RELEASE AFfll:R 6:30P.M., Monday, March 15,2004 While Ambivalent About the War, Most Iraqis Report a Better Life A year after the bombs began to fall, Iraqis express ambivalence about the U.S.-led invasion of their country, but not about its effect: Most say their lives are going well and have improved since before the war, and expectations for the future are very high. Worries exist -locally about joblessness, nationally about security- boosting desire for a "single strong leader," at least in the short-term. Yet the first media-sponsored national public opinion poll in Iraq also finds a strikingly optimistic people, expressing growing interest in politics, broad rejection of political violence, rising trust in the Iraqi police and. army and preference for an inclusive and ultimately a democratic government. More Iraqis say the United States was right than say it was wrong to lead the invasion, but by just 48 to 39 percent, with 13 percent expressing no opinion- hardly the umeserved welcome some U.S. policymakers had anticipated. so%.,---- Iraqis' Views of the U.S.-Led Invasion ABC News poll 50% 48% 40% -~.~~-..... 30% .. 20%: 10% 0% As m, .. ·" .;::, .. · oppo.: he country; more :;'~lougb most also say ---------------------- - - they should stay for the time being); and relatively few express confidence in those forces, in the U.S.·led Coalition Provisional Authority, or in the Iraqi Governing Council. These results are from an ABC News poll conducted among a random, representative sample of2,737 Iraqis in face-to-face interviews across the country from Feb. 9-28. Part of ABC's weeklong series, "Iraq: Where Things Stand," marking the first anniversary of the war, the poll was co-sponsored with ABC by the Gennan broadcasting network ARD, the BBC and the NHK in Japan, with sampling and field work by Oxford Research International of Oxford, England. The poll fmds that 78 percent oflraqis reject violence against coalition forces, although 17 percent- a sixth of the population - call such attacks "acceptable." One percent, for comparison, call it acceptable to attack members of the new Iraqi police. There are huge differences in these and many other questions between Arab Iraqis, who account for 79 percent of the population, and the Kurdish minority (17 percent). Forty percent of Arabs say it was right for the United States to invade; that soars to 87 percent of Kurds. Just one-third of Arabs say the war liberated rather than humiliated Iraq; it's 82 percent of Kurds. Thirty percent of Arabs support the presence of coalition forces, again compared with 82 percent of Kurds. Positive views of the invasion also are held disproportionately in the South of the country, as well as in the Kurdish north. 100%.,-----4 90% Views of the Invasion by Ethnicity ASC News poll 87% 80% 70% 80% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% All Arabs Kurds US-led invasion: All Arabs Was right 48% 40% Was wrong 39 46 Kurds 87% 9 Liberated Iraq 42% 33% 82% Humiliated Iraq 41 48 11 Presence of coalition forces: Support 39% 30% 82% Oppose 51 60 12 Attacks on coalition forces: Acceptable 17% 21% 2% Unacceptable 78 74 96 PERSONAL.J:lVES- On a personal level, seven in 10 Iraqis say things overall are going welftottficffif::,. a result that rnigbt surpril!e outsiders imaginingthe worst of life in Iraq today. Fifty-six percent say their lives are better now than before the war, compared with 19 percent who say things are worse (23 percent, the same). And the level of personal optimism is extraordinary: Seventy-one percent expect their lives to improve over the next year. Again there are regional and ethnic differences. In the Kurdish north, 70 percent say their lives overall are better than before the war; in the south, 63 percent. That declines to 54 percent in the central region, and falls under half- to 46 percent- in the greater Baghdad area, home to more than a quarter oflraqis. 100%...-----1 How Iraqis See Their Lives Overall ABC News 90% SO% .-r Compared to before the war: ... _.llbll "''•JiWr.' n% 70% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Good Bad Better Same Worse Better Same Woree How Iraqis see their lives overall How things are going today: All North South Central Baghdad Good 70% 85% 65% 70% 67% Bad 29 14 34 28 32 Compared to a year ago, before the war: Better 56% 70% 63% 54% 46% Same 23 15 21 22 31 Worse 19 13 13 23 23 How they'll be a year from now: Better 71% 83% 74% 70% 63% Same 9 4 6 10 16 Worse 1 4 9 10 Locally, unhappiness is highest by far with the availability of jobs (69 percent say it's bad) and the supply of electricity ( 64 percent negative). Local schools are rated positively (by 72 percent), and smaller majorities give positive ratings to the availability of basic household goods and the adequacy of local crime protection. About half give positive ratings to the availability of medical care, clean water and household goods beyond the basics, and to local government. Iraqis divide in their rating of the local security situation now, but strikingly, 54 percent say security where they live is better now than it was before the war. However, for some, local security clearly is a great concern; 22 percent call it the single biggest problem in their lives, more than any other mention ("no job" is second, 12 percent). Local security concerns peak in greater Baghdad, where they're cited by 36 percent as the top problem, compared to a low of eight percent in Kurdistan. Notably, across the country, no more than 26 percent say any of these conditions are worse now than a year ago; in each about four in 10 or more say things are better; and in each sizable majorities -mostly three-quarters expect things to improve over the next 12 months. There's political danger, of course, if these expectations go unmet. Ratings of specific local conditions Today Compared to pre-war Expectations-! yr. Good Bad Better Worse Same Better Worse Same Schools 72% 26 47% 9 41 74% 3 14 Household basics 56 41 47 16 35 76 3 10 Crime protection 53 44 50 21 26 75 11 Medical care 51 47 H 16 36 75 12 Clean water 50 48 41 16 40 75 13 Local gov't 50 38 44 16 29 69 12 Additional goods 49 46 44 17 35 75 10 Security 49 50 54 26 16 74 10 ElectricitY 35 64 43 23 32 74 11 Jobs 26 69 39 25 31 73 11 -----------------------·- SECUR;lTY;.. While less of a local issue for many Iraqis, security at the national level is ·a vast concern; the public's top overall priority, by a huge margin, is "regaining public security in the country." Sixty-four percent give it "first priority" for the next 12 months; out of a dozen issues tested, no other even breaks into double digits. Combining frrst, second and third priorities produces a more complete list: Eighty-five percent mention security in one of those slots; 55 percent, rebuilding the infrastructure; 30 percent, holding national elections; 30 percent, "ensuring that people can make a decent living" and about as many, "reviving the economy." Last on the list: "Dealing with members of the previous government," cited as a priority by only two percent. 100"' .------1 Iraqis' Priorities for the Next Year ABCNewspotl 90% 85% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Regaining public security In the country Rebuilding the Enaurlng that moat Holding na6onal lnlraatructure Iraqis can make a elections decenlllvlng RevMng the economy Regaining public security Rebuilding the infrastructure Holding elections for national gov•t Ensuring that people can make a decent living Reviving the economy Regaining Iraqi governance Ensuring that religious ideals are followed Increasing oil production Rebuilding the education system Ensuring that Iraq could not be First, second or third priority* 85% 55 30 30 28 17 16 13 10 First Priority 64% 7 8 4 3 3 3 2 1 attacked from the outside Giving people more say in their communities Dealing with members of the previous government *Up to three answers accepted 7 3 COALITION FORCES- As noted, 51 percent oppose the presence of coalition forces- but that doesn't mean most want them withdrawn immediately,likely because of security concerns. Fifteen percent oflraqis say the forces should leave the country now; by contrast, 36 percent say they should remain until a new government is in place; 18 percent, until security is restored. How long should coalition forces remain? Until Iraq gov't is in place 36% Until security is restored 18 Leave now 15 Six months or more 10 Few months 8 Just over three-quarters of Iraqis 77 percent - say they personally never have had any encounter with coalition forces. Those who've had such encounters divide on the experience: about half call it a positive encounter; half, negative. Mll'*"llldl*ilii!IM~is overwhelmingly want their nation to percent say so, compared with 14 percent who prefer a federated group of regional states, and four percent who want the country broken into separate nations. Among Iraqi Kurds, federated regional states- but not fully independent ones - are preferred. Preferences for Iraq's future governance Unified country, central government in Baghdad Regional states with a federal government Divide into separate independent states All Arabs 79% 90% 14 5 4 2 Kurds 26% 58 12 There is relatively little support for a religious theocracy forms of government. it's low on the list of preferred In one change from the first national poll in Iraq by Oxford Research International last fall, more now call for a "single strong Iraqi leader"- 47 percent say one will be needed a year from now, up from 27 percent previously. That's more than say "an Iraqi democracy" will be needed, now 28 percent (essentially unchanged). This interest in a strong leader (not necessarily an undemocratic one) seems based in security concerns. In an open-ended follow-up, references to "freedom" dominate support for democracy, while those who express support for a single strong leader are more apt to cite the need for security and order in their country. Iraq's needs for governance Single strong Iraqi leader Iraqi democracy Government of religious leaders Group of strong Iraqi leaders Government of experts/managers Iraqi Governing Council UN transition government Government of Iraqi military leaders Coalition Provisional Authority In 1 year 47% 28 10 3 2 2 1 1 1 In 5 years 35% 42 10 3 2 In another question, without a time frame mentioned, democracy wins more support than two other options- a strong leader, but one who rules "for life"; or an Islamic state. Forty-nine percent choose democracy, 28 percent a "strong leader" and 21 percent an Islamic state. Preferred political system Democracy 49% Strong leader •tor lifeH 28 Islamic state 21 As noted, more Iraqis express interest in politics- 54 percent, up from 39 percent in November- and 31 percent say their interest in politics has increased in the past year, three times the number who say it's decreased. Women are more apt than men to express interest in politics, though it's up among both groups. FRAGMENTATION -But other results suggest a level of political fragmentation that may challenge the country's political development, and throws into some question the notion of early elections. Despite interest In a strong leader, six in 10 Iraqis can't name a single national leader they trust (though even more can't name one they specifically mistrust). Sixty-one percent express little or no trust in political parties, and nearly seven in 10 don't identify themselves with any party. The only parties that emerge with more than minimal support are either Islamist or Kurdish; respondents named more than 25 individual parties, but most had Jess than one percent support. (All were volunteered in response to an open-ended question.) Political party support Islamic Al-Dawa Party Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) 14% 11 10 Iraqi Islamic Party 6 Higher Council of Islamic Revolution 5 All other individual mentions 2 or fewer Three-quarters say joining a political party is something they "would never, under any circumstances, do"; indee4 after decades ofrepression, more than a third, 36 percent, say that simply talking with other people about politics is something they would never do. Have Might Would done do never do Talk with others about politics 46% 15 36 Vote in elections 17 62 18 Join a political party 5 13 75 Take action like demonstrating 5 19 70 Use violence/force if needed 12 82 Choices also are fragmented when Iraqis are asked which national leader they "trust the most"- more than 40 individual answers, each with few mentions. Only five received mentions from more than three percent: -Ibrahim Al-Jaaferi, eight percent (main spokesman for the Islamic Dawa Party); -Massoud Barzani, six percent (leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party); -Jalal Talabani, six percent (leader of the Patriotic Union ofKurdistan); -Sayyid Al-Sistani, five percent (the country's leading Shiite cleric, sometimes described as the most powerful man in Iraq); and -Adnan Pachachi, four percent (foreign minister in the government deposed by Saddam Hussein in 1968, he founded the Independent Democratic Movement last month.) One figure, meanwhile, was cited by 10 percent as a leader they "don't trust at all"- Ahmed Chalabi, former leader of the London-based Iraqi National Congress, now a member of the Iraqi Governing CounciL TRUST- In terms of confidence in institutions, the gainers, as noted, are the Iraqi police - 68 percent express trust in it, up from 45 percent in November- and the Iraqi army, with 56 percent trust, up from 39 percent in the fall. Confidence (not necessarily in political terms) peaks at 70 percent for "religious leaders." No other institutions receive majority trust; notable are the IGC, at 39 percent, the CPA, at 28 percent; and the U.S. and U.K. forces, at 25 percent. Religious leaders The police New Iraqi Army Local leaders in your community Iraqi Media Network TV Ministries in Baghdad The press % confident 70% 68 56 50 50 44 43 The United Nations 40 The (Iraqi Governing) Council 39 The CPA . 28 Political parties 28 US and UK occupation forces 25 90% Iraqis' Confidence in Organizations ABC News poll 80% 70".4 70% 68% 60% 56% 50% 40% 20% 10% 50% 50% 44% 43% 40% 39o/o 30% 28% 28% 25% MODEL- Few Iraqis see non-Arab nations as a model for their country- just six percent cite the United States, five percent Japan- but many more want those nations to play a role in rebuilding Iraq. Among top mentions, 36 percent say the United States should play a role in rebuilding the country, 36 percent Japan, 22 percent the United Kingdom, 22 percent France, and 17 percent Germany. Again in terms of a model for the country, 24 percent say it doesn't need one. The only other mention above single digits is the United Arab Emirates, a primarily Sunni federation of largely independent city-states (it was cited by 26 percent of Sunnis compared with 15 percent ofShia Muslims, but was top-ranked, by far, in both groups.) RELIGION- In religious terms, 96 percent of Iraqis are Muslim. In this poll 40 percent identified themselves as Sunni Muslim, 33 percent as Shia, and 23 percent did not cite an affiliation within Islam. Given the potential of sectarian strife and history ofrepression, there may be reluctance to discuss religious matters in Iraq; just 55 percent say they had even heard of"Iraq's religious leaders," in aggregate. Of those who say they had heard of them, 81 percent of Shia Muslims expressed confidence in these leaders, compared with 57 percent of Sunnis. In another difference, 92 percent of Shiites prefer a unified Iraq with its central government in Baghdad, compared with two-thirds of Sunnis. And a quarter of Sunnis called attacks on coalition forces acceptable, compared with 11 percent of Shiites. DEMOGRAPHICS- The poll also paints a compelling demographic portrait of the Iraqi people. In just 20 percent of Iraqi households does the main breadwinner hold a full-time, outside job; 58 percent are self-employed. Average household income is the equivalent of $164 per month, for an average of eight people per household. Eighty-one percent of households have a refrigerator; 44 percent, an air conditioner (the average daily high temperature in Baghdad in August is I 08 degrees); 44 percent, a washing machine; 37 percent, a telephone; 21 percent, a still camera. There are disparities across regions, with the south of the country substantially poorer. The poll was conducted among Iraqis age 15 and up; those under age 18 accounted for 10 percent of the total sample (their attitudes are not strikingly different from their eldei1>'). Iraq is a young country: Sixty-six percent of Iraqis 15 and up are under age 35, compared with 36 percent of Americans age IS and up. METHODOLOGY - This poll was conducted for ABC News, ARD, the BBC and NHK by Oxford Research International of Oxford, England. Interviews were conducted in person, in Arabic and Kurdish, among a random national sample of2,737Iraqis age 15 and up from Feb. 9-28, 2004. The results have a two-point error margin. Analysis by Gary Langer. ABC News polls can be found at ABCNEWS.com on the Internet at: Media contactiL-(b_X_6_) ____ ----Jio1(b )( 6) w would you say things are gai n 1n your lite these days - very qui te bad, or very bad? 2/28/04 No opin. 1 in Spring 2003, are things about the same, somewhat worse About Much Somewhat the same 22 35 23 NET l9 No op. 2 ~/J COALITION PROVISIONAL AUT~dRirl . BAGHDAD INFO MEMO March 14, 2004 FOR: THE ADMINISTRATOR FROM: L.:..l(b...:...)(:....;6):..______J SUBJECT: Notes on 13 March IRl Focus Group on Ad Campaign. Story Boards and Elections The attached lRI report on the election campaign covers perceptions of Iraqi yah and Hoorah as well as general political perceptions. This info memo covers only matters that relate to polling and other infonnation about Iraqi opinion. StratCom will report separately on story boards and ad campaign. • Polling supports the positive assessments of Al-Iraqiyah, which now enjoys considerable confidence. • We are going to field a poll to test the sense that Jazeera and Arabiyah are anti-Iraq. • A number of polls show the UN is not particularly trusted here. Generally speaking, the UN enjoys a level of trust that is about at par with the GC and above that of the Coalition. We are fielding a poll with questions testing who is trusted to run elections. AITACHMENTS: COORDINATION: ~~~~:!1(~)( 6) 13 March IRI Memo on story boards, elections focus groups (b)(4) (b)(4) (b)(4) (b)(4) (b)(4) (b)(4) COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGIIDAD INFO MEMO March 5, 2004 FOR: THE ADMINISTRATOR FROM: '-'-l(b_X_6) _ _____J SUBJECT: 24 February IRI Focus Group in Nasariyah The report reaches you late because technical communications failures prevented delivery to CPA. As usual,l (b)(6) I report contains important nuggets. • As before, "making and keeping promises," is a resonant theme. • IGC adequate interim solution, but not a substitute for elections. • Chalabi seen as an American who arrived in Nassariyah on an American tank in an American uniform. • Nasariyahns want someone who will work not just for Iraq, but for them. ( . They are pleased that the Italians moved out of the center of town, but now deride them as cowards who use the Iraqi Police to protect them. • They like IS-minute speeches more than Saddam's long ones, but only if you have something to say. •' They said they would probably tune-in your speeches if they knew ahead of time when you were speaking and what the subject was to be. ATTACHMENTS: IRI focus group report: "Local Politics and Perceptions of Amb. Bremer in Nasariyah COORDINATION: NONE COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD INFO MEMO 10-Mar-04 FOR: THE ADMINISTRATOR FROM: ..._l(b...L;.)(...._.6).______, SUBJECT: INR Analysis of22-29 Feb IIACSS Data REF: 3 March INFO MEMO "First Look at 2 March Results" The INR opinion alert does not cover new data. It is their take on same data used in Ref INFO MEMO. For example, JNR's analysis notes geographic breakdowns which the "First Look." memo did not INR's opinion alerts are circulated in the Department of State and to the national security community in Washington. The opinion alert summary says findings "underscore the challenges of fmding an acceptable form of interim government, particularly within the current security environment which heightens Iraqi concerns over sectarian conflict and U.S. motives for staying· in Iraq." The opinion alert emphasizes the following: • High acceptability of caucuses in Baghdad, Basrah, Mosul and Ramadi and rejection in Karbala and Hillah. • High value Iraqis place on direct vote • Support for women's rights. • Suspicion that CFs responsible for attacks and that CFs want to stay. • Concern over sectarian war I have sent an email to JNR expressing concern over the sub-head, "Attacks Heighten Concern over Sectarian Tensions and U.S. Motives for Staying in Iraq." First, the assertion that concern is "heightened" by the attacks is not supported by the data or text; and, second, that the casual reader will assume that the "attacks" mentioned are the Ashoura attacks (even though the report notes that the poll was taken before Ashoura. ATTACHMENTS : INR "Opinion Alert" Distri butio~ I ist COORDINATION: Cotmselors j(b )( 6) NEAR EAST OPINION ALERT Iraqis Value Nationwide Elections and Women's Rights in Formation of New Government; Few Favor Role for Governing Council in the Interim Attacks Heighten Concern over Sectarian Tensions and U.S. Motives for Staying in Iraq A February survey fielded just before the Iraqi Governing Council 's Constitutional agreement and the Ashura attacks shows that most Iraqis look forward to voting in 2005 and support the interim constitutional provision giving women a significant role in the in the new government. Other findings underscore the challenges of finding an acceptable form of interim government, particularly within the current security environment which heightens Iraqi concerns over sectarian conflict and U.S. motives for staying in Iraq. Many In Baghdad, Baarah, Moaul and Ramadl Say Local Caucuses Acceptable to Create Interim Government When presented with four possible alternatives for creating rut interim Iraqi government, Iraqis in Ramadi (89%), Mosul (84%) wtd six in ten in Baghdad (61%) and Basrah (60%) think rut "acceptable" approach would be to use "local caucuses to select a legislature to create rut interim government." No more thwt half in wty city would find it acceptable to create the interim government by expwtding the Governing Council, wtd even fewer would accept turning interim authority over to the current members of Governing Council. No more thwt a quarter in wty city would accept "rut unelected body of Iraqis appointed by the UN." Iraqis in Hilla wtd Karbala have issues with each of these options. No more thwt l in 10 finds wty of them acceptable; nine in ten say each are unacceptable (with eight-in-ten saying they are completely unacceptable). Table 1. Support for Possible Alternatives to Create Interim Govemment (% Somewhat or Completely Acceptable) Ba9hdad Basrah Mosul Ramadi Karbala Hilla Local caucuses select a legislature and the 61% 60% 84% 89% 6% 12% legislature creates an interim government. The current Iraqi Governing Council becomes 36 35 26 32 8 6 the interim government. An expanded form of the current Iraqi Governing 38 46 39 22 7 7 Council becomes the interim government. An alternative unelected board is appointed by 22 24 21 17 2 4 the UN as an interim government. Findings frorn tile Office of Research survey in Iraq are based on ]ace·toface interviews conducted arnong 1187 urban iraqi adults, ages 18 and uver, in Baghdad {N=402). Basrah {N• /95), Mosu/ (N~ 237), Hilla {N;/09), Karbafa (N=/16) and Rarnadi (N• /28). The polf was carried out between February 22 and 2fcblQ The mqryin q(eaqr fqr the eptjre wmqle i• roxirnate ±4 ercent but varies arnong cities. Prepa~ed by 6) ] (b}(6) Iraqis Underacore Value They Place on Casting Direct Vote The interim constitution calls for nationwide elections to be held no later than January 31, 2005. Majorities say they would be willing to wait even "as late as December 2005" to transfer sovereignty to an Iraqi government in order to hold direct elections (58% Mosul, 67% Baghdad, 77% Basrah, 84% Ramadi, 90% Hilla, and 91% Karbala). No more than a third believes it is more important to transfer power as soon as possible to an Iraqi government "if it means giving power to an unelected government" (36% Mosul, 29% Baghdad, 17% Basrah, 10% Ramadi, 7% Hilla, 6% Karbala). Large Majorities Support Basic Rights for Women Large majorities in each of these cities support the right of women to hold any job for which they are qualified (95-99%); to vote without influence from her family (82-98%); and to have the same civic and economic rights as men, such as practicing trades or being a member in vocational and social organizations (72-98%). Support for Women's Right to: (%overall) hold any JOb quailf1ed for 97% vote Without pressure 95% equal CIVIC & econ nghts 85% Most also support women having the same legal rights as men (62% in Mosul and 76-91% other cities). Six in ten in Karbala (61%) and larger majorities in the other cities believe women should have the right to choose their clothing without the government enforcing an Islamic dress code (71-96%). choose style of 84% clothmg equal legal nghts 73% Hold pol off1ce 71% There is more of a divide on whether women should be allowed to hold the same political offices as men. Majorities (57-74%) in Ramadi, Basrah, Baghdad and Mosul agree, but majorities disagree in Karbala (66% vs. 32% agree) and Hilla (57% vs. 42% agree). Asked separately whether the new constitution should require that "some positions, such as seats in the legislature and ministries" be reserved for women, half in Karbala and majorities elsewhere agree. Table 2. Percent Who Strongly Agree: Baghdad Basrah Mosul Hilla Karbala Ramadi The attacks are an attempt to incite divisions and civil 70% 85% 84% 91% 94% 13% war in Iraq. The attacks are an effort to disrupt the plan for 59 66 78 91 9\ transferring responsibility for our security to Iraqi forces. > The attacks are an effort by U.S. forces to 54 53 29 75 70 persuade others that they need to remain in Iraq. The attacks emphasize the need for the continued 43 52 44 37 36 presence of Coalition Forces in our country. The attacks are an effort to liberate Iraq from U.S. and 6 9 2 Coalition occupation. 3 81 6 80 Most See Attacks as Effort to Heighten Sectarian Tensions and Disrupt Transfer of Security to Iraqi Forces According to survey results gathered before the Ashura bombings, six in ten in Ramadi and eight in ten or more in other cities strongly or somewhat agree that such attacks are attempts to incite ethnic and sectarian divisions and civil war in Iraq (Table 2 above shows percentages that strongly agree). Similar majorities also interpret the attacks as an effort to disrupt the transfer of security responsibilities to Iraqi forces. 2 Many Suspect that U.S. Forces Are Involved In Attacks To Justify Need For Them to Stay About two-thirds in Baghdad, Basrah and Mosul and fewer in Karbala (51%), Hilla (45%) and Ramadi (43%) strongly/somewhat agree that the attacks reinforce the need for continued presence of Coalition Forces. At the same time, large majorities (between 72-94%, 55% Mosul) believe that U.S. forces are involved in the attacks in order to justify the need for their continued presence in Iraq. These suspicions feed Iraqi expectations that the coalition forces will not leave Iraq voluntarily. Only minorities (8-23%) believe that the U.S. will depart Iraq as promised. Majorities across the board think they will leave only when "forced" or that they will "stay in Iraq forever." Do You Believe the U.S. Will ... ? 42% Baghdad -60% - Basrah .,... ..... I Leave only when forced to go I Stay in Iraq forever I Depart Iraq as promised Mosul 3 OPINION REPORT DISTRIBUTION LIST Counselors- (b)(6) Governance- Policy- Operations- CJTF7- IMU- IRI- OPO- IMN- StratCom (b)(4) (b)(4) COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD INFO MEMO 25 February 2004 FOR: THE ADMINISTRATOR FROM: L.;..l(b....;_)(_6) _ ____,~ SUBJECT: Baghdad Focus Group: Don't Celebrate Regime Fall; Make & Keep Promises Steve Moore ofiR1 bas presented another tight and useful focus group report. Two focus groups (men and women) met yesterday. Key findings: • Do not celebrate the April 9 fall of the regime. Any observation should be somber. Names like "Day of Sorrow" were preferred. (DRH Comment: This suggests that a somber ceremony commemorating Saddam's victims would be appropriate.) • This group also said they want to see you "meeting with average Iraqis, listening to their problems and working to solve them. Men and women want to see you on television weekly. • The physical scars of war matter. (DRH Comment: Destroying and removing war- damaged buildings should probably move up on our priority list. Implode them and hire Iraqis to haul away the rubble.) ATTACHMENTS: DISTRlBUTION: (b)(6) IRl Public Opinion Report: "One Year Anniversary of the FaiJ of the Regime and Perceptions of Ambassador Bremer" Stratc~m: ~ I Gov~(bj{6) IRl: EXEC: Ia..']" b Counselors: L-(b-)-(6_) ____ --.~ COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BAGHDAD f fv {( ~ .. INFO MEMO DATE 21 February 2004 FOR: THE ADMINISlRA TOR FROM: .__ l(b_)(_6) _ __, SUBJECT: Iraqis Unlikely to Support GC as Interim Government The attached analysis draws on public opinion polling to illustrate why Iraqis are unlikely to support the Govenunent Council as an interim govenunent. A 1T ACHMENTS: Government COORDINATION: Analysis of Iraqi Opinion: "Iraqis Unlikely to Support GC as Interim Analysis of fpaqi Opinion 21 February 2004 Iraqis Unlikely to Support GC as Interim Government A number of polls indicate that the Governing Council is unlikely to have much popular support as an interim government, even if expanded to include more members. While the GC enjoys some popularity in relatively tranquil areas such as Diwaniyay and Hillah (IRI Poll Dec 11-18) ... Fate of GC after 30 June •olaSOivo • Become a Senate D Become a Joint Prolidoncy DDKIDA Baghdad BHhrah Moaul Dewanla Hilla Rarnedl Total Page1 of 3 ... the same poll shows a majority favor dissolution after 30 June. After 30 June Covernlng Council Should ... DK/DA t% Become 1 Joint Prveldency 11% DluoiYe 13% Even this limited support is suspect because of the "patriotism effect," whereby Iraqis place confidence in nascent or suspect institutions simply because they are Iraqi. That the "patriotism effect" may be working for the GC as a whole is borne out by the low popularity of individual GC members, only four of whom Gafri, Pachachi, al-Hakim and ul-Uloom have higher positives than negatives. Page2of3 Additionally, the pre-test (Baghdad only) of a new questionnaire to be fielded in the coming days (results due 3 March) shows disapprovals around 90% when respondents are asked about either the GC or an expanded GC as an interim government (NB: Pre-tests, which are used to test the comprehension of questions being asked and other technical issues, are much less reliable than the final poll. They indicate general directions and likely outcomes. It is unlikely that the final poll will show such high negatives as the pre-test.) Drafted:~....l