International

Support for war grows in U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

United Nations MARCH 11. As the crisis over Iraq is played out at the United Nations, a growing number of Americans seem to be frustrated at the manner in which the world body is handling the issue.

A majority still believe that the weapons inspectors must be given more time. But even in this category, the numbers are dropping, a latest CBS News/New York Times poll shows. Fifty-eight per cent of those polled said the United Nations is doing a poor job in managing the issue of disarmament of Iraq — this is about 10 points up from a poll taken a month ago. And 52 per cent believe that the weapons inspectors must be given more time — down from 62 per cent in a poll taken two weeks ago.

The poll conducted after the United States President, George W. Bush's televised press conference last week also showed a jump in support for U.S. military action. Now, 44 per cent of the Americans believe that the U.S. should take military action, up from 35 per cent a week ago. Significantly, and in the context of what is playing out at the Security Council, while 60 per cent of those polled said that they favoured the idea of the U.S. having to consult allies before taking action, 55 per cent said they would back military action even if the U.N. did not support a U.S.-backed resolution authorising the use of force.

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