July 28, 2006

Abstract: - Many adults in the United States think Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction before the start of the coalition effort, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 50 per cent of respondents believe Saddam Hussein's regime had such weapons when the U.S. invaded, up 14 points since February 2005.

- Many adults in the United States think Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction before the start of the coalition effort, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 50 per cent of respondents believe Saddam Hussein's regime had such weapons when the U.S. invaded, up 14 points since February 2005.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,568 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 18,900 troops have been wounded in action.

Pre-war speeches by U.S. president George W. Bush mentioned specific chemical agents, such as mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas as banned substances allegedly secured by Iraq. State secretary Colin Powell assured the United Nations (UN) Security Council in February 2003 that Hussein possessed biological weapons.

The final report of the Iraq Survey Group—presented to the U.S. Congress on Sept. 30, 2004—concluded that Hussein's regime did not possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and had not implemented a significant program for their development.

In April, Bush discussed his rationale for launching the coalition effort, saying, "I saw a threat in Iraq. Not only did I see a threat in Iraq, the previous administration saw a threat in Iraq (and) passed a resolution in the United States Congress that said we ought to have a regime change in Iraq. Not only did the previous administration see a threat in Iraq, members of both political parties in both chambers during my time as president saw a threat in Iraq. And the reason we saw threats is because the intelligence said that Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction."

Hussein was captured by coalition soldiers in Adwar—near his hometown of Tikrit—in December 2003. The deposed leader is currently being tried for assassinating Shiite men and expelling women and children from the northeastern Iraqi town of Dujail in 1982. The actions were regarded as retaliation for an attempt on Hussein's life organized by members of the Dawa Party. If convicted, Hussein could be executed. 72 per cent of respondents believe Iraqis are better off now than they were under Hussein, and 64 per cent think he had strong links with al-Qaeda.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister. 55 per cent of respondents think history will give the U.S. credit for bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq, down nine points since February 2005.

Polling Data

Do you believe that the following statements are true?

	Jul. 2006	Feb. 2005	Oct. 2004
The Iraqis are better off now than they were under Saddam Hussein	72%	76%	76%
Saddam Hussein had strong links with al-Qaeda	64%	64%	62%
History will give the U.S. credit for bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq	55%	64%	63%
Iraq had weapons of mass destruction when the U.S. invaded	50%	36%	38%

Source: Harris Interactive
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 American adults, conducted from Jul. 7 to Jul. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.