The Hindu : Govt. underestimated Iraqi resistance, feels U.S. public

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 30, 2003

International

International

Govt. underestimated Iraqi resistance, feels U.S. public

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington MARCH 29. At a time when the Bush administration is going out of its way in telling the American public that the war in Iraq is proceeding according to plans, a majority of the people think that the United States ``underestimated'' the resistance from the Iraqi Army. And significantly, about 82 per cent in a recent poll have maintained that a significant number of casualties will result — up from 37 per cent in the opening days of the war in Iraq. However, in spite of the apprehensions, about seven in 10 Americans back the war effort.

According to a poll conducted by CBS News, 55 per cent of Americans believe that the U.S. underestimated Iraqi resistance; and two-thirds in this poll say that the war will last months. About 62 per cent in this same poll believe that removing the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, from power is worth the costs of the war, including the loss of lives. But nearly 30 per cent have said that they feel nervous about the conflict.

In another survey done by CNN/Time just over half said the war against Iraq has been successful; 8 per cent said it was not; and 37 per cent maintained that it was somewhere in between. The Bush administration appears to be bending over backwards to impress a sceptical American and overseas audience that in a span of just about a week, coalition forces have had several successes. But Washington is also facing a barrage of direct and indirect criticism for its war efforts.

The Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretien, has cancelled a private visit to Washington to receive an award. Officially, his office has said that it would be insensitive for the Prime Minister to come and pick up an award when the U.S. is at war. But this came only days after the American Ambassador criticised Canada for not joining the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq. At the United Nations, Canada was one of the very first to call for an small extension of deadline for weapons inspections but with the new resolution carrying the threat of the use of force unlike many others who were against any automaticity over the use of force.

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