.Georgian Troops on the Front Line in Iraq
Findings from the first poll ever conducted amongst the Georgian Armed Forces stationed in Iraq show that troops are proud of their mission and role, approve their government’s decision to send troops to Iraq and only 8% would not return if given an opportunity. They also believe that Iran’s influence will increase with their departure. At the same time, while public support in Georgia to send troops to Iraq has been slowly rising over the years, the majority still do not support their government’s decision of sending troops to Iraq.
Background information
Georgian Armed Forces have been deployed in Iraq since 8/03 as part of the international war against terrorism and state-building. They have also been participating in peacekeeping missions (the Balkans, Persian Gulf) since 1999. 2000 are now in the Persian Gulf (Iraq) and their mandate has been extended till the end of 2008.
The first peacekeeping contingent, medical group (70 military medical personnel) and an engineer platoon was sent to Iraq, in Tikrit in 2003. In 2004, 160 military personnel of the Sachkhere battalion performed peacekeeping duties as an integral part of Coalition Forces. Currently the majority of peacekeepers are serving their tours in Al Kut (Wasit Province).
Participation in international peacekeeping missions provides an opportunity for Georgian troops to obtain practical experience, which further demonstrates the Georgian nation's determination and readiness to cooperate with NATO and the United States in fighting the war on terrorism. Georgia wants to do its fair share in bringing peace and stability to conflict regions throughout the world, as well as those at home. Although the public in general are less reluctant to accept the fact that Georgians are serving abroad, the number of those who approve the government’s decision to send troops to Iraq from 2005 has risen from 20% to 29%, based on GORBI’s recent public opinion poll conducted among 1,000 adult respondents in Georgia. However, the troops themselves are very eager and motivated to be part of the coalition.
I, as an eye witness to the situation on the ground in Iraq, had several chances to talk to Georgian troops in private and I can say that there were basically four things that the soldiers were dreaming or nostalgic about – homeland, the chance to consume alcohol (not alcohol free beer), interactions with members of the opposite sex, and the wish to get rid of the Kalashnikov rifle. As stipulated in the contract with the Ministry of Defence, the first three wishes are strictly forbidden and are to be postponed to the “good times” back at home. However, I believe that the recent decision by the Georgian Ministry of Defence to replace the Kalashnikov with the US produced M4 assault rifle will clearly be more than very welcomed and approved by the troops.
In January 2008, GORBI in conjunction with Opinion Research Business (ORB), a UK based research firm and GORBI’s business partner carried out a poll targeting 1,350 Georgian troops serving in Iraq using a self-completion questionnaire. GORBI’s team of researchers travelled to and throughout Iraq and conducted fieldwork at 6 check points along the Iranian border and in the capital city of Baghdad. In some instances the questionnaires given to the troops included identical questions to those that were posed to the Iraqi population in ORB’s recent poll amongst a nationally representative sample of 4,000 Iraqis. Below are some main findings from both surveys.
Overall the poll clearly reveals a positive mood amongst the Georgian army serving in Iraq – the third largest army in Iraq following US and UK forces. Nine in ten (89%) are satisfied with the current conditions within their unit, 97% is proud to be a soldier and 98% is proud that they can serve in the Georgian army.
Georgian troops by and large are very satisfied with their deployment in Iraq – both in terms of living conditions, hardware and safety. The overwhelming majority are also satisfied with their training (93%) and their military hardware (88%)
. Almost the entire sample of 1,350 troops supports President Saakashvili’s decision to extend the country’s mission until June 2008. NB. Meanwhile, the Georgian government has recently decided to prolong the stay of troops in Iraq till the end of this year.
Interestingly, despite the threat of military action against them, they are also remarkably positive about Iraq and its people. Like the population at large, they also report an improvement in the security situation. However, troops are aware of the threat posed by local militia and the influence Iran has on the situation – a role which they believe will increase if they are to leave Wassit, the neighbouring region where most are based.
Like the population at large, a majority of troops feel that Iraq should remain as one country and not be divided into independent regional governments.
Also, there is widespread support for the decision to deploy troops to Iraq, a wish among many to return for a further tour and a desire for Georgia to join NATO.
In the poll carried out by ORB in March 2008 amongst a nationally representative sample of 4,000 Iraqis, overall 55% thought their country was heading in the ‘right direction’. In the province of Wassit (where most Georgian troops are located) the figure increased significantly to 87%. When the same question was asked to Georgian troops 91% answered ‘the right direction’. However, they are also aware (like many Iraqis living in the southern regions) of the threat posed to the country from Iran. One in four (27%) consider Iran the second biggest threat to the country (following illegal armed forces 38%) while 55% believe Iran’s influence will increase with the departure of Georgian troops.
The majority (86%) of Georgian soldiers consider that the peacekeeping mission in Iraq is the first priority for overseas deployments. Alternatively, 14% of respondents considered other hot spots in the world as now being a greater priority.
In spite of a long-term struggle to bring peace and democracy to Iraq, three quarters (75%) of Georgian troops consider that the situation might improve for the better. Only 3% of respondents are pessimistic about future prospects for Iraq; just over one in four (22%) were unable to predict what the future would hold, one way or the other.
International contributions to peacekeeping missions and democracy building exercises via the Georgian government’s decision to send its armed forces to Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan are perceived favourably by the vast majority (94%) of Georgian soldiers who are deployed in Iraq.
Seven out of ten (71%) deployed Georgian peacekeepers are willing to back up their words with actions by a second tour of duty in Iraq if they would be given the opportunity to return or to extend their tour. 8% would opt not to return to Iraq and 22% declined to answer one way or the other as to their intentions.
More than eight out ten respondents considered that “Operation Iraqi freedom” was necessary in order to:
• Establish democracy (86%)
• Getting rid of Saddam Hussein (85%)
• To create a bridge head for combating terrorists and eliminate their weapons of mass destruction (80%) However, fewer respondents (64%) considered that one of the key reasons was to secure energy supplies.
Religious aspects or cultural divides was deemed a factor by only 30% of Georgian troops.
Saddam Hussein was considered responsible by every third (31%) of Georgian troop for having played a role in the terrible events of 9/11 – the deadly attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. Interestingly, only 15% of those who are 40 years or older believe that Saddam played a role in 9/11. Only 6% of respondents thought that he was not actually involved in the attack. Regardless, more than half (63%) of those surveyed had no opinion or refused to answer.
The vast majority (84%) of soldiers consider that the conditions for establishing peace and stability have improved over the last 3 months. Another 15% thought that the situation remains the same and only 1% said that it has deteriorated.
Just under half (46%) of deployed Georgians think that there are enough boots on the ground to complete the mission. Slightly more than one in four (26%) thought that more were needed, and nearly an equal number (27%), did not respond one way or the other.
41% approve and 17% disapprove of the decision by some coalition member countries to withdraw their multi-national forces from Iraq.
The overall attitudes towards the Iraqi government and its people are either very or somewhat positive. However, generally the combined perception index towards the Iraqi people is 23 percentage points higher than what it is for the government, 95% vs. 72%.
Geotimes
Background information
Georgian Armed Forces have been deployed in Iraq since 8/03 as part of the international war against terrorism and state-building. They have also been participating in peacekeeping missions (the Balkans, Persian Gulf) since 1999. 2000 are now in the Persian Gulf (Iraq) and their mandate has been extended till the end of 2008.
The first peacekeeping contingent, medical group (70 military medical personnel) and an engineer platoon was sent to Iraq, in Tikrit in 2003. In 2004, 160 military personnel of the Sachkhere battalion performed peacekeeping duties as an integral part of Coalition Forces. Currently the majority of peacekeepers are serving their tours in Al Kut (Wasit Province).
Participation in international peacekeeping missions provides an opportunity for Georgian troops to obtain practical experience, which further demonstrates the Georgian nation's determination and readiness to cooperate with NATO and the United States in fighting the war on terrorism. Georgia wants to do its fair share in bringing peace and stability to conflict regions throughout the world, as well as those at home. Although the public in general are less reluctant to accept the fact that Georgians are serving abroad, the number of those who approve the government’s decision to send troops to Iraq from 2005 has risen from 20% to 29%, based on GORBI’s recent public opinion poll conducted among 1,000 adult respondents in Georgia. However, the troops themselves are very eager and motivated to be part of the coalition.
I, as an eye witness to the situation on the ground in Iraq, had several chances to talk to Georgian troops in private and I can say that there were basically four things that the soldiers were dreaming or nostalgic about – homeland, the chance to consume alcohol (not alcohol free beer), interactions with members of the opposite sex, and the wish to get rid of the Kalashnikov rifle. As stipulated in the contract with the Ministry of Defence, the first three wishes are strictly forbidden and are to be postponed to the “good times” back at home. However, I believe that the recent decision by the Georgian Ministry of Defence to replace the Kalashnikov with the US produced M4 assault rifle will clearly be more than very welcomed and approved by the troops.
In January 2008, GORBI in conjunction with Opinion Research Business (ORB), a UK based research firm and GORBI’s business partner carried out a poll targeting 1,350 Georgian troops serving in Iraq using a self-completion questionnaire. GORBI’s team of researchers travelled to and throughout Iraq and conducted fieldwork at 6 check points along the Iranian border and in the capital city of Baghdad. In some instances the questionnaires given to the troops included identical questions to those that were posed to the Iraqi population in ORB’s recent poll amongst a nationally representative sample of 4,000 Iraqis. Below are some main findings from both surveys.
Overall the poll clearly reveals a positive mood amongst the Georgian army serving in Iraq – the third largest army in Iraq following US and UK forces. Nine in ten (89%) are satisfied with the current conditions within their unit, 97% is proud to be a soldier and 98% is proud that they can serve in the Georgian army.
Georgian troops by and large are very satisfied with their deployment in Iraq – both in terms of living conditions, hardware and safety. The overwhelming majority are also satisfied with their training (93%) and their military hardware (88%)
. Almost the entire sample of 1,350 troops supports President Saakashvili’s decision to extend the country’s mission until June 2008. NB. Meanwhile, the Georgian government has recently decided to prolong the stay of troops in Iraq till the end of this year.
Interestingly, despite the threat of military action against them, they are also remarkably positive about Iraq and its people. Like the population at large, they also report an improvement in the security situation. However, troops are aware of the threat posed by local militia and the influence Iran has on the situation – a role which they believe will increase if they are to leave Wassit, the neighbouring region where most are based.
Like the population at large, a majority of troops feel that Iraq should remain as one country and not be divided into independent regional governments.
Also, there is widespread support for the decision to deploy troops to Iraq, a wish among many to return for a further tour and a desire for Georgia to join NATO.
In the poll carried out by ORB in March 2008 amongst a nationally representative sample of 4,000 Iraqis, overall 55% thought their country was heading in the ‘right direction’. In the province of Wassit (where most Georgian troops are located) the figure increased significantly to 87%. When the same question was asked to Georgian troops 91% answered ‘the right direction’. However, they are also aware (like many Iraqis living in the southern regions) of the threat posed to the country from Iran. One in four (27%) consider Iran the second biggest threat to the country (following illegal armed forces 38%) while 55% believe Iran’s influence will increase with the departure of Georgian troops.
The majority (86%) of Georgian soldiers consider that the peacekeeping mission in Iraq is the first priority for overseas deployments. Alternatively, 14% of respondents considered other hot spots in the world as now being a greater priority.
In spite of a long-term struggle to bring peace and democracy to Iraq, three quarters (75%) of Georgian troops consider that the situation might improve for the better. Only 3% of respondents are pessimistic about future prospects for Iraq; just over one in four (22%) were unable to predict what the future would hold, one way or the other.
International contributions to peacekeeping missions and democracy building exercises via the Georgian government’s decision to send its armed forces to Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan are perceived favourably by the vast majority (94%) of Georgian soldiers who are deployed in Iraq.
Seven out of ten (71%) deployed Georgian peacekeepers are willing to back up their words with actions by a second tour of duty in Iraq if they would be given the opportunity to return or to extend their tour. 8% would opt not to return to Iraq and 22% declined to answer one way or the other as to their intentions.
More than eight out ten respondents considered that “Operation Iraqi freedom” was necessary in order to:
• Establish democracy (86%)
• Getting rid of Saddam Hussein (85%)
• To create a bridge head for combating terrorists and eliminate their weapons of mass destruction (80%) However, fewer respondents (64%) considered that one of the key reasons was to secure energy supplies.
Religious aspects or cultural divides was deemed a factor by only 30% of Georgian troops.
Saddam Hussein was considered responsible by every third (31%) of Georgian troop for having played a role in the terrible events of 9/11 – the deadly attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. Interestingly, only 15% of those who are 40 years or older believe that Saddam played a role in 9/11. Only 6% of respondents thought that he was not actually involved in the attack. Regardless, more than half (63%) of those surveyed had no opinion or refused to answer.
The vast majority (84%) of soldiers consider that the conditions for establishing peace and stability have improved over the last 3 months. Another 15% thought that the situation remains the same and only 1% said that it has deteriorated.
Just under half (46%) of deployed Georgians think that there are enough boots on the ground to complete the mission. Slightly more than one in four (26%) thought that more were needed, and nearly an equal number (27%), did not respond one way or the other.
41% approve and 17% disapprove of the decision by some coalition member countries to withdraw their multi-national forces from Iraq.
The overall attitudes towards the Iraqi government and its people are either very or somewhat positive. However, generally the combined perception index towards the Iraqi people is 23 percentage points higher than what it is for the government, 95% vs. 72%.
Geotimes
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