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NDTV opinion poll: Iraqis want Saddam punished

Tariq Aziz says Saddam Hussein is alive. If he is captured what do the people of Iraq think should be done to him? Should he be punished, set free or sent into exile? NDTV's opinion poll conducted in 25 localities spread across Baghdad and covering a large sample of 1,000 people is the first real voice of the Iraqi people.

NDTV's Iraq poll results indicate that the people of Iraq are angry with Saddam Hussein and want him punished. According to the poll, a clear majority, 55 per cent, want to see Saddam Hussein punished. While the NDTV poll shows that a much smaller number want to spare him punishment, 17 per cent want to see him set free and another 13 per cent would like to see him exiled to another country making a total of 30 per cent who do not want him punished when he is captured.

Once again, the older generation, people over 40-years-old, appear to be more unforgiving of Saddam Hussein. While 58 per cent of this generation want him punished, a lower number, 53 per cent of the under-40s, want him punished.

The NDTV opinion poll indicates that the people of Iraq are also upset with the attitude of Iraq's Arab neighbours. When asked whether the neighbouring countries stood by Iraq or whether these Arab nations turned their backs on Iraq, an overwhelming 71 per cent felt let down by their Arab neighbours and said these countries turned their backs on Iraq. Only 17 per cent felt that the neighbours stood by Iraq.

The Muslims appeared to be more upset than others. The NDTV sample survey questioned over 100 Christians and while 59 per cent of Christians felt that the Arab neighbours had let down Iraq a much higher percentage, 73 per cent of Iraqi Muslims, said that the neighbouring countries had turned their backs on Iraq.

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