New Delhi: Even as US President George Bush prepares for a war with Iraq, over 40
per cent of Americans believe President Saddam Hussein should be removed from power
only with a unanimous UN mandate, according to a poll carried out for BBC.
Forty-three per cent people said their biggest fear about a war with Iraq was
further acts of terrorism, while 23 per cent feared mass civilian casualties in
Iraq, in the poll conducted ahead of a studio debate on Bush vs Saddam to be
broadcast on BBC World's 'Panorama' programme, a release from the broadcaster said.
The poll also revealed that 14 per cent Americans were concerned about an economic
recession and 13 per cent were worried about a continuing US presence in the Middle
East after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Although 44 per cent people felt there should be a unanimous UN mandate in place
before efforts were made to remove Hussein from power, 31 per cent agreed that he
should be removed by a military coalition without UN support, the release said,
adding 15 per cent felt Iraqi people should remove him.
Interestingly, 15 per cent felt the main reason for war was to secure oil supplies
and 15 per cent believed it was to remove Hussein from power.
A total of 1,012 people above the age of 18 were interviewed for the telephonic
poll, it said.
PTI
