U.S. 'liberators' or 'occupiers'?

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Only a third of the Iraqi people now believe that the U.S.-led occupation of their country is doing more good than harm, and a solid majority support an immediate military pullout even though they fear that as a result they could be in greater danger, according to a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll.

The nationwide survey, the most comprehensive look at Iraqi attitudes toward the occupation to date, was conducted in late March and early April. It reached nearly 3,500 Iraqis of every religious and ethnic group. The poll shows that most continue to say the hardships suffered to depose Saddam Hussein were worth it. Half say they and their families are better off than they were under Saddam. A strong majority say they are more free to worship and to speak.

But while they acknowledge benefits from dumping Saddam a year ago, Iraqis no longer see the presence of the U.S.-led military as a plus. Asked whether they view the coalition as "liberators" or "occupiers," 71 percent of all respondents say "occupiers."

That figure reaches 81 percent if the separatist, pro-U.S. Kurdish minority in northern Iraq is not included. The negative characterization is just as high among the Shiite Muslims who were oppressed by Saddam as it is among the Sunnis who embraced him.

A powerful indicator of the growing negative attitude toward the Americans is found in two related survey questions: 53 percent say they would feel less secure without the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, but 57 percent say the foreign troops should leave anyway. Those answers were given before the current face-offs in Fallujah and Najaf between U.S. troops and Iraqi fighters.

The poll shows negative attitudes just as the U.S. administration is struggling to quell the insurgency and turn over limited sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government by the end of June. Interviews this week in Baghdad with Iraqis underscored the findings.

"I'm not ungrateful that they took away Saddam Hussein," says Salam Ahmed, 30, a Shiite businessman. "But the job is done. Thank you very much. See you later. Bye-bye."

'I would shoot . . . right now'

Bearing the brunt of Iraqis' ill feeling: members of the U.S. military. The most visible symbol of the occupation, they are viewed by many Iraqis as uncaring, dangerous and lacking in respect for the country's people, religion and traditions.