June 27, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More adults in the United States think Saddam Hussein had a hand in the 9/11 attacks, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 41 per cent of respondents think Hussein's regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist actions, up four points in three years.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More adults in the United States think Saddam Hussein had a hand in the 9/11 attacks, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 41 per cent of respondents think Hussein's regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist actions, up four points in three years.

Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people. In June 2004, the federal commission that investigated the events of 9/11 stated that there had been "no collaborative relationship" between the deposed Iraqi regime and the terrorist network in the planning and carrying out of the attacks.

In August 2006, U.S. president George W. Bush referred to the situation, saying, "Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill to achieve an objective. I have made that case."

The coalition effort against Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,566 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 26,100 troops have been wounded in action.

Pre-war speeches by 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. 20 per cent of respondents think the U.S. found chemical or biological weapons hidden by Hussein's regime in Iraq.

Yesterday, Republican Indiana senator Richard Lugar expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in Iraq, saying, "The costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved. Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term."

Polling Data

Do you think Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001?

	Jun. 2007	Sept. 2004
Yes	41%	36%
No	50%	51%
Not sure	9%	13%

To the best of your knowledge, has the U.S. found chemical or biological weapons hidden by Saddam Hussein's regime since the Iraq war began in 2003?

Yes	20%
No	70%
Not sure	10%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,001 American adults, conducted on Jun. 18 and Jun. 19, 2007. Margin of error is 4 per cent.