August 12, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States still believe their government should end the coalition effort next year, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 66 per cent of respondents favour removing all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 2008, except for a limited number that would be involved in counter-terrorism efforts.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States still believe their government should end the coalition effort next year, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 66 per cent of respondents favour removing all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 2008, except for a limited number that would be involved in counter-terrorism efforts.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,683 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 27,200 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Jan. 10, U.S. president George W. Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which includes an increase in U.S. troop levels. On Jul. 12, Bush discussed the Iraqi government's progress, declaring, "Of the 18 benchmarks Congress asked us to measure, we can report that satisfactory progress is being made in eight areas."

The U.S. Congress has asked commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq David Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq in September. 56 per cent of respondents believe Congress should not develop a new policy on Iraq until Petraeus reports on the progress of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq.

On Aug. 9, Bush discussed the situation in Iraq, saying, "There's a lot of work to be done, and the fundamental question facing America is: Is it worth it? Does it matter whether or not we stay long enough for an ally in this war against radicals and extremists to emerge? And my answer is it does matter. Long-term consequences will face our country if we leave before the job is done. How the troops are configured, what the deployment looks like will depend upon the recommendations of David Petraeus."

Polling Data

Half Sample - Do you favour or oppose removing all U.S. troops from Iraq by Apr. 1 of next year, except for a limited number that would be involved in counter-terrorism efforts?

	Aug. 5	Jul. 8
Favour	66%	71%
Oppose	30%	26%
No opinion	4%	4%

Half Sample - Which comes closer to your view about U.S. policy toward the situation in Iraq?

	Aug. 5	Jul. 8
Congress should act now to develop a new policy on Iraq	39%	40%
Congress should not develop a new policy on Iraq until September when David Petraeus reports on the progress of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq	56%	55%
No opinion	6%	5%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,012 American adults, conducted from Aug. 3 to Aug. 5, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.