Polls & Research

Few Americans Perceive Hussein-9/11 Link

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Most adults in the United States think former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein did not play a role in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, according to a poll by the New York Times and CBS News. 57 per cent of respondents think Hussein was not involved in the events of 9/11.

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.

On Jun. 17, 2004, U.S. president George W. Bush dismissed the findings of the federal commission, declaring, "This administration never said that the 9/11 attacks were orchestrated between Saddam and al-Qaeda. We did say there were numerous contacts between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda. For example, Iraqi intelligence officers met with (Osama) bin Laden, the head of al-Qaeda, in the Sudan. There's numerous contacts between the two."

The coalition effort against Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,294 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 16,900 troops have been wounded in action. 53 per cent of respondents think removing Hussein from power was not worth the loss of American life and other costs of attacking Iraq.

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.

Polling Data

Do you think Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?

Do you think removing Saddam Hussein from power was worth the loss of American life and other costs of attacking Iraq, or not?