Related Event: Iraq in Transition

A poll shows the war in Iraq has left Americans skeptical about the use of military force as a tool to spread democracy.

The survey found seventy-two percent of those questioned said the conflict has made them feel worse about the use of military force "to bring about democracy" down the road, compared to only 20 percent who said it made them feel better about such a prospect.

It also found that nearly three of every four Americans believe overthrowing Iraq's government and trying to establish a democracy in its place was not a good enough reason to go to war there.

The survey did not address the question of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the poll said that 64 percent were now ready to accept an Iraqi constitution that does not fully meet democratic standards.

In addition, 57 percent of those questioned said if Iraqis vote to approve a new constitution in a coming referendum, the United States should assume that the implementation of democracy has been achieved and begin withdrawing troops.

Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, a research group affiliated with the University of Maryland, said most Americans do not appear to have been persuaded by President George W. Bush's argument that promoting democracy is a critical means for fighting terrorism and making the world safer.

His group produced the poll in conjunction with the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. It involved 808 people who were interviewed from September 15 to 21 and had an error margin of plus or minus 3.5 to 4 percentage points.

(Source: Reuters)