Opinion

CBS Poll: Don't Trust Saddam

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

November 18, 1998 / 2:43 PM EST / CBS

As United Nations weapons inspectors return to work in Baghdad, the American public overwhelmingly thinks Saddam Hussein will not live up to his promise of unlimited access to suspected weapons sites. Only 6 percent believe the Iraqi leader will keep the promise he made over the weekend after the threat of U.S. military action.

Public support remains high for the U.S. response to the current crisis with Iraq. Fifty percent say holding back air strikes was the right thing to do, and 67 percent approve of the way President Clinton has handled the situation.

This shows little change from public reaction this weekend when air strikes were called off.

Will Saddam Keep His Promise?

YES

NO 88%

If, as most Americans expect, Saddam Hussein reneges on his promise and doesn't allow full access to weapons inspectors, the public is clearly behind U.S. military action. Eighty percent say they would favor immediate U.S. bombing of Iraq if that happens.

There is much skepticism about the United States being able to resolve this situation without military action. Fifty-seven percent believe the United States will have to take action to resolve the current conflict.

Another clear indicator of the public's willingness to use force against Iraq is that while people approve of the president's handling of the situation, 50 percent say he hasn't been tough enough.

This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 1,118 adults by telephone November 16-17, 1998. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on the entire sample.

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