Text 13534, 99 rader
Skriven 2005-06-12 11:29:43 av John Hull (1:379/1.99)
Ärende: 3 of 4 Iranians welcome US presence
===========================================
As I've said before, the majority of people in Iran want freedom and democracy
rather than tyrannical theocracy.  A recent poll reaffirms that notion.  The
following article gives details.


Poll: Iranians want regime change
74% think U.S. presence increases chances for freedom

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Posted: June 12, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern



Copyright 2005 WorldNetDaily.com 

A scientific public opinion survey of Iranians shows most want regime change in
their country and 74 percent believe the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq
increases the chances they will be able to overthrow their Shiite theocracy. 

The survey, which was the first of its kind, found two-thirds of Iranians
believe that regime change in Iraq has been a positive for both neighboring
countries: with 66 percent believing that it served Iran's national interests,
while 65 percent believed the Iraqi people will, in the long-run, be better
off. 


Commissioned by the Iran Institute for Democracy, the survey discovered that 65
percent of Iranian adults consider fundamental change in Iran's system of
government, especially its Constitution, a must to bring freedom and more
opportunities to their homeland. 

Validating reports of widespread discontent with the clerical regime,
three-fourths of Iranians, 73 percent, support the call for a national
referendum through which Iranians are given a chance to choose the form of
government of their choice. 

"The people of Iran want change," said Jerome Corsi, author of "Atomic Iran"
and founder of the Iran Freedom Foundation. "We need to encourage these
yearnings for freedom and help the Iranian people overthrow the mad mullahs and
prevent this regime from producing nuclear weapons, which will be a threat to
the entire civilized world." 

Significantly, almost all Iranians reject their government's attempts to keep
exiled Iranians out of the political and economic equation of Iran. Fully 84
percent say Iranians living abroad should have a role in shaping the political
and economic future of their homeland. 

Regarding the forthcoming presidential elections, nearly four of every five
Iranians – 79 percent -- say the upcoming elections should not be held unless
they are free, fair and transparent. 

While more than 70 percent of Iranians believe the world is closely monitoring
next Friday's election process, 57 percent of the population would be inclined
to support a boycott of the elections if conditions for a free, fair and
transparent election are not met. 

Only 39 percent of adults were able to choose a candidate representing their
viewpoint, with Hashemi Rafsanjani leading with 32 percent among those who
could identify with a candidate. 

Rafsanjani enjoys only 13 percent support among all Iranians, including those
who could not identify an acceptable candidate. That said, when asked to make a
prediction, 42 percent of all surveyed predicted Rafsanjani would be declared
the winner of elections, indicating a perception of a predetermined conclusion.



On the nuclear issue, a solid majority of surveyed respondents inside Iran – 60
percent -- believe the international community's worry about the prospects of
terrorists obtaining weapons of mass destruction is real. Further, a plurality
– 42 percent – says the Islamic Republic gaining access to nuclear weapons
would add to their anxiety, discomfort and inability to sleep comfortably at
night, while 37 percent say it would not burden their peace of mind. 

Commissioned by the Iran Institute for Democracy, the survey was conducted
among 758 adults age 16 and over (the voting age in Iran), from May 26 through
June 4, 2005. Sample design, questionnaire design, and data processing were
conducted by the Tarrance Group. Random-digit dialing was used to generate the
sample, and interviews were conducted via telephone from a call center in the
U.S. using Farsi-speaking interviewers. The margin of error associated with a
sample of this size of +/- 3.6 percent, at the 95 percent confidence level. The
average interview length was 24.6 minutes. 

SPECIAL OFFER: For a limited time, you can get "Atomic Iran" from WND at a
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(1-800-496-3266). 



John 

America:  First, Last, and Always!
LIBERALS AND DOGS KEEP OFF THE GRASS!

--- Msged/386 TE 05
 * Origin: Give up liberty for security, and you deserve neither! (1:379/1.99)