By DPA
London : A majority of people in the southern Iraqi port of Basra believe that the presence of British troops in the city since 2003 has had a negative effect, an opinion poll has showed.
As British forces prepare to return control of the province to the Iraqis Sunday, a survey for the BBC’s “Newsnight” TV programme found that 86 percent of the population of Basra was of the view that the presence of British troops had been “negative”.
Only two percent thought it had been positive and eight percent said they were “neutral” on the issue, the opinion poll published Friday said.
More than half – 56 percent – of those asked felt the British presence had actually increased the level of militia violence, while 14 believed it had made no difference and just three percent thought violence had been reduced.
Two thirds, or 66 percent, thought the situation would improve in the short term with the handover, while 72 percent believed it would get better only in the long-term. But only five percent expected deterioration.
Polling station ORB, in conjunction with Iraqi partners IIACSS, interviewed 922 adults throughout Basra, aged 18 years and above, between Dec 3 and 8.
Britain has lost 174 military personnel in Iraq since it joined the US-led invasion in March 2003.
From Sunday, the 5,500-strong British contingent will move into an “over watch” role and remain in barracks on the outskirts of Basra. Their number is to be gradually reduced and expected to be cut to 2,500 from next spring.