US poll suggests unease on Iraq casualties

WASHINGTON: The American public is growing increasingly uneasy about the continuing casualties of US troops during the occupation of Iraq, a new poll suggests.

About half the public, 51 percent, in an ABC News-Washington Post poll released Monday, said the level of US casualties is acceptable, but nearly that many, 44 percent, called the level of casualties unacceptable. Since May 1, when President Bush declared major combat in Iraq was over, more than 50 American soldiers have died either from hostile fire or in accidents.

In early April, two-thirds said the level of casualties was acceptable, and less than one-third, 28 percent, said the level was unacceptable. Public support for Bush remains strong despite the public’s concern about casualties, the poll indicated. Two-thirds, 68 percent, support the job he’s doing and about the same number support his actions in Iraq.

Nearly one-fourth, 23 percent, said the war can be justified only if the United States finds weapons of mass destruction, while 63 percent said the war can be justified even if those weapons aren’t found.

More than half, 56 percent, said they would favour military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, while 38 percent opposed that step.

The ABC-Post poll of 1,024 adults was taken June 18-22 and has an error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points. —APP

Home | National