08-F-1338 Public reactions to Ammb Bremer National Democratic Institute Iraq focus groups

Scott - these two con your eyes ally They nt appoor in any reports. por. PUBLIC REACTIONS TO AMBASSADOR BREMER NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE IRAQ FOCUS GROUPS Time 29- July 9, 2003 "He likes the Kurds." "He is the new leader of Iraq." -Kurdish Men, Kirkuk "He is working, but we don't understand what he is doing now." "We didn't see anything positive from him yet." "He is good at talking but not doing." "He is serving the American interests." "They think he is good for Iraq, but we don't think so. He is appearing every Saturday and announcing problems, but unfortunately, there is no central channel so we don't hear what he says." "We want to get rid of the Ba'ath party members, especially the high level officials, the ones who murdered, but he left a few of these go." "We don't like him because he is our enemy." -Shia Men, Najaf "Who?" (PARTICIPANTS ARE JOKING) "He is not very active." "He is separated and isolated from the Iraqis." -Sunni Men, Mosul "He didn't do anything yet for us." "No electricity, no water, no security." "I am afraid to go to Baghdad." "He didn't do anything yet." -Shi'a Women, Najaf • . . Image of Ambassador Bremer: NDI Iraq Focus Groups, June-July 2003 "An employee in the American government." "He is doing his job." "He is trying to get fewer casualties." -Sunni Men, Baghdad "We haven't seen anything from him. We are only eating bread and we don't see anything from him." "He should be having a lot of meetings with religious officials and representatives from the people, so he can understand the demands of the people." "He will have to understand the main circumstances that Iraqis are living right now." "We are tired of promises. We want someone who understands us and understands our needs. They of course can improve the situation. We know that they can. When Saddam came to power, he promised houses, education, freedom and democracy, and he didn't implement any of this. And I think they are acting like Saddam used to act. Three months is a very long period for them. They are not weak. They are strong and developed, and the world is revolving around them, and we are sitting in our places. The oil refinery was burned - why? Aren't they supposed to protect it? Instead, they are protecting themselves. Instead of allowing it to burn, whey don't they sell it, and give us the money?" "We think that they absolutely know and understand the total situation. They know abou everything. They enjoy watching this for no reason. We don't know why they do this." -Shi' a Women, Karbala "We haven't seen anything from him." "We have heard a lot from him, but haven't seen any results." "As long as he is going to be the temporar fires one ve Mant him to do something " "He hasn't done anything." -Sunni Women, Mosul 2