Thursday, March 16 2006 10:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Even as the Bush administration approaches the third anniversary of its war in Iraq, two-thirds of Americans believe that the conflict is a war of choice, not necessity and has not seen the best use of resources.

In the poll conducted by World Public Opinion.Org, 67 per cent believed that it was a 'war of choice', that is, some US interests and values were at stake, but it was not necessary for the defence of the United States. Only 31 per cent said it was a 'war of necessity'.

The latest poll shows people's confidence in the success of the Iraq operation getting lower with most opposing retaining permanent military bases inside Iraq.

Most of the Americans polled want a draw down of troops and a majority has taken the position that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction.

Nearly 60 per cent said that the Iraq war was not the best use of resources in the war on terrorism and opined that it would have been better 'to use those same resources instead for pursuing al-Qaeda and stabilising Afghanistan.'

A majority of 54 per cent now believe that the US made the 'wrong decision in going to war with Iraq and only 33 per cent think it was the best thing for the US to do.

As far as the situation inside Iraq is concerned, 64 per cent said that it is getting worse and only 28 per cent have confidence that the operation will succeed.

68 per cent of those polled are in favour of beginning a draw down of American troops in Iraq. 52 per cent Republicans favour the idea as opposed to 80 per cent of the Democrats.