Most Americans Support U.N.-Iraq Agreement

But a new poll shows few people think Saddam Hussein will comply with the pact

By Keating Holland/CNN

WASHINGTON (Feb. 25) -- Most Americans favor the weapons inspections agreement reached between Iraq's Saddam Hussein and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.

And more than two-thirds of people surveyed approve of President Bill Clinton's decision to conditionally accept the agreement while maintaining U.S. military strength in the Persian Gulf.

But 82 percent of Americans say Hussein will eventually violate the terms of that agreement and 68 percent predict that the U.S. will have to take military action against Iraq sometime within the next year.

That is one reason why only 43 percent of the public expresses relief that the agreement avoided military action, while 49 percent say that the agreement worries them because it will just give Hussein more time to build weapons of mass destruction.

Most Americans say that Clinton got what he wanted rather than backing down. But a majority also say that Hussein got what he wanted, and ultimately, the U.S. public thinks that Saddam won this round. Forty-nine percent say that Saddam got more out of the agreement or had to back down less than Clinton; 42 percent say that the agreement benefitted Clinton more.

The numbers are based on interviews with 650 adults on Feb. 24, and the survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 4 percentage points.

Here are the questions and answers:

Question 1: As you may know, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has recently worked out an agreement with Iraq over U.N. weapons inspections in that country. From what you have read or heard, do you favor or oppose that agreement?

Question 2: What do you think President Clinton's response should be to that agreement...

Question 3: Which of the following statements better describes your personal reaction to the way the crisis with Iraq has been resolved:

Question 4: How would you rate the leadership Bill Clinton has shown in the recent confrontation with Iraq? Would you say he has been very strong, moderately strong, moderately weak, or very weak?

Question 5: As a result of the recent confrontation with Iraq and the way it has been resolved, do you think the United States now appears stronger or weaker to the rest of the world?

Question 6: Thinking about the way this confrontation with Iraq was resolved, would you say Bill Clinton/Saddam Hussein mostly backed down, or mostly got what he wanted?

Question 6A/6B: If respondent says both leaders backed down, or if respondent says both got what they wanted:

Who do you think got more of what he wanted?

Question 7: Looking ahead, do you think it is more likely that Saddam Hussein will comply with the terms of the agreement, or that he will violate the terms of the agreement?

Question 8: How likely do you think it is that the United States will take military action against Iraq in the next year over the weapons inspections issue? Do you think such military action by the U.S. will definitely happen, probably happen, probably not happen or definitely not happen?

Question 9: Do you favor or oppose using military force now to remove Saddam Hussein from power?

Wednesday Feb. 25, 1998

• White House Prepares to Assert Executive Privilege
• Jones' Lawyers Say Clinton Lawyers Made Settlement Offer
• Lott Says Annan Appears 'Bent on Appeasement'
• House Limits Profits Of Doctor-Congressmen
• Executive Privilege Old As The Union
• Trie Documents To Be Released Thursday
• White House Scandal At A Glance
• Rep. Paxon To Retire From Congress

Poll:
• Most Americans Support U.N.-Iraq Agreement