Majority of Iraqis back new government

Robin Wright, Washington Post:

A large majority of Iraqis say they have confidence in the new interim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi that is set to assume political power on June 30, according to a new poll commissioned by U.S. officials in Iraq.

The results are a significant victory for the United States and the United Nations, which together negotiated with squabbling Iraqi factions in an attempt to cobble together a viable government that balanced disparate ethnic and religious groups.

The first survey since the new government was announced by U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi just over three weeks ago shows that 68 percent of Iraqis have confidence in the country's new leaders. The numbers are in stark contrast to widespread disillusionment with the previous Iraqi Governing Council, which was made up of 25 members handpicked by the United States that served as the Iraqi partner to the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority. Only 28 percent of Iraqis backed the council when it was dissolved last month, according to a similar poll in May.

...

But 73 percent of Iraqis polled approve of Allawi to lead the new government, while 84 percent approve of the interim president, Ghazi Yawar, and almost two-thirds back the new cabinet -- all impressive showings that indicate the new leaders each have support spanning ethnic and religious groups, U.S. officials said.

...

In a sign that Iraqis are now more optimistic generally about their future after the occupation ends, two-thirds of Iraqis believe the first democratic elections for a new national assembly -- due to be held in December or January -- will be free and fair, the survey shows.

Despite the growing number of attacks on Iraqi security forces, including a series on Thursday, public confidence in both the new Iraqi police and army has reached new highs, the poll shows. Some 70 percent of Iraqis polled support the new army, while 82 percent support the police.


Zarqawi, et.al. are probably in the 18 percent who do not support law enforcement.

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