PIPA, KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS TRACKING RESEARCH SHOWS U.S. MAJORITY SUPPORTS IRAQ WAR, BUSH – BUT SEEKS U.N. ROLE IN FUTURE CONFLICTS

Studies have charted evolution of public opinion on Iraq for more than 6 months

Menlo Park, CA - March 31, 2003: The latest PIPA/Knowledge Networks poll on the Bush Administration's policies toward Iraq found that, in the days immediately after the start of hostilities, 75% of United States citizens backed the President's decision to go to war; but 66% also said that the U.S. should not use force in the future without the approval of the United Nations.

Conducted from March 22nd through 25th, 2003 – the first few days of combat in Iraq – the survey is the latest in a series of PIPA/KN studies tracking public opinion on this sensitive topic. The ongoing research has been commissioned by the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) and conducted using the Knowledge Networks panel – the only Web-enabled research panel based on an RDD sample of the U.S. population.

PIPA/Knowledge Networks poll, presented the survey results to the National Press Club as the clubs "Newsmaker of the Day."

The new poll found that 21% of U.S. citizens supported the war even though they disagreed with the decision to initiate the conflict; another 54% supported the war and agreed with the decision.

Asked if the U.S. should feel "more free" to apply military force without United Nations approval in future conflicts, 66% said no and 29% said yes. In addition, 71% said that the U.S. decision to bypass the United Nations in undertaking the war in Iraq did not affect the U.N.'s status as a leader in world affairs, while 26% said that the U.N.'s importance had been diminished.

The Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) is a group of social science researchers who study public opinion on international issues; it is a joint program of the Center on Policy Attitudes and the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland.

Knowledge Networks is the leader in high-quality, innovative market research. The company's unique Internet platform allows for quick turnaround of results and for the use of high-quality video and audio in surveys.

In conjunction with its expertise in brands, media, advertising, and analytics, Knowledge Networks uses its consumer panel and other resources to provide insights on consumer behavior and opinions. In addition to government and social policy work, Knowledge Networks specialties include media, brand health, segmentation, and research on pricing, product configuration and
advertising.