Previous Poll Results
July 1, 2001 -- July 7, 2001
[151 votes total]
A poll, termed "relatively
scientific," and "an exercise to see current trends,"
released by the U.S. Department of State last week,
suggests that out of 4995 Afghans in 27 provinces,
50% of the women polled and 46% of the men named
former King Zahir Shah as the leader ``who can most
successfully address the problems facing Afghanistan
today." Taliban leader Mullah Omar received the
backing of 11% of males and 6% of women. Veteran resistance
leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud is said to have received
2%. Twenty percent said they "don't know," but
there is no available data on the remaining 20% or so.
The State Department said it could not reveal who conducted
the recent poll or give other operational and
methodological details.
Given current conditions in Afghanistan, where at least
a third of the population lives outside the country,
millions are displaced internally, scores of villages
and towns are depopulated or destroyed, fear and
hopelessness are rampant, which opinion do you identify
with more closely concerning the poll:
1) It seems like a
fairly accurate reading of Afghan opinion, and seems
fairly conducted. It is appropriate for such a poll
to be released by the State Department even if
operational details are not provided. (62)
-- 41%.
2) It does not seem to reflect a fairly accurate reading
of Afghan opinion. It does not seem to have been
conducted fairly. It is not appropriate for such
a poll to be released by the US government under current
conditions. Operational details about methodology
and data collection should be provided. (77) -- 51%.
3) Does not matter either way. (12) --
8%.
4) No opinion.
(0) --
0%
May 1, 2001 -- May 7, 2001
[196 votes total]
According to news reports, General Pervez Musharraf has declared
that 99 per cent of Pakistan is being "held hostage" by Taliban-like
religious extremists who constitute just one per cent of the population.
Reacting to this statement, which opinion do you agree with the most:
1. The military leader of Pakistan is reflecting a real fear and
sentiment, is opposed to the Talibanization of Pakistan, but faces challenges
coping with the extremist threat. (35) -- 18%
2. Gen. Musharraf does not really believe in the extremist threat,
is part of the establishment supporting it, and he is manipulating world
public opinion by publicly denouncing Talibanism while promoting it.
(130)
-- 66%
3. I am not convinced either way, and think that it is too early
to make any judgments about the statement.
(14) -- 7%
4. None of the above. (17) -- 9%
March 2, 2001 -- March 10, 2001
[393 votes total]
In light of the new "edict"
by Taliban militia leader Mullah M. Omar that all pre-Islamic artifacts and
statues in Afghanistan should be destroyed, which reaction do you relate to and
agree with the most:
1. I am happy and agree with the Taliban decision.
It is wrong to preserve non-Islamic artifacts, thus all pre-Islamic
artifacts and statues should be destroyed in Afghanistan. (34) --
9%
2. I am distressed and do not
agree.
These artifacts and statues are not idolized and are part of the
country's pre-Islamic history. They belong to all humanity as Muslim leaders
past and present have not attempted to destroy them. (353) --
89%
3. No opinion either way.
(11) --
3%
December 20, 2000 -- December 25, 2000
[100 votes total]
The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution by majority
vote Tuesday against the Taliban movement calling for a second set of sanctions,
including an arms embargo, closure of terrorist camps, Taliban travel restrictions
and freezing of Usama Bin Laden's assets among others. Which statement
do you agree with the most:
1. As explained by most UN member states - the US and Russia in particular
- the new set of sanctions approved Tuesday is specifically aimed at the
Taliban leadership and allied terrorist networks, their sources of funding,
will have minimal impact on the existing economic/humanitarian situation,
and may be understood by most Afghans. (66) --
66%
2. As advocated by Pakistani propaganda and pro-Taliban circles,
the sanctions are targetting the Afghan people and Taliban's "Islamic
Emirate", will prolong the war, deepen the human tragedy, and cause
resentment among Afghans. (29) -- 29%
3. no opinion either way. (5) -- 5%
November 2, 2000 -- November 7, 2000
Do you believe that the United States will launch another attack
on Osama bin Laden's bases in Afghanistan?
[142 votes total]
YES (49) -- 35%
NO (52) -- 37%
MAYBE (41) -- 29%
June 3, 2000 -- June 10, 2000
[196 votes total]
Although Russia has been very vocal in its threats to carry out air
strikes on Afghanistan, there has been relatively little condemnation from
The United States. Do you believe that this is because:
1. The United States supports the idea of Russian strikes on the
alleged Terrorist Training Camps. (116)--59%
2. The United States knows that Russia will never carry out such
threats. (24)--12%
3. The United States is not involved in the Russian threats, and
therefore they do not want to become entangled in this political web. (24)--12%
4. None of the above. (32)--16%
January 20, 2000 --- January 26, 2000
[210 votes total]
As new evidence emerges about the roles of all parties involved in
the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane last month, India is insisting
that the incident was planned by Pakistan, while Islamabad denies the charge.
The Taliban, who did not allow a commando operation and let the hijackers
get away, are now viewed with a certain amount of suspicion. Which of these
scenarios is most believable:
1. The hijacking was staged by Pakistan, with no involvement of the
Taliban. (45) -- 21%
2. The hijacking was staged by India. (26) -- 12%
3. The hijacking was planned by Pakistan with the involvement of
some elements within the Taliban leadership. (59) -- 28%
4. The hijacking was staged by Kashmiri militants with the tacit
support of Pakistani and Taliban circles. (57) -- 27%
5. Other scenario. (23) -- (10%)
December 19, 1999 --- December 26, 1999
[253 votes total]
According to an NNI report, and several other news agencies, the
United States has made it clear that if any Americans are attacked by supporters
of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban would be held responsible. Do you agree
with this?
1) Yes, since the Taliban have chosen to protect and defend Osama
bin Laden. (147) -- 58%
2) No, the Taliban are not responsible for other people's actions.
(91) -- 35%
3) No comment. (15) -- 5%
December 1, 1999 -- December 8, 1999
[258 votes total]
1) The biggest obsatcle are the Taliban (minus Pakistan) themselves
who would not agree to this plan for fear of losing power. (56)--22%
2) The biggest obstacle is the United Front , even though they have
not opposed the plan. (30)--12%
3) The biggest obstacle is Pakistan, who may consider this move as
against its strategic interests. (65)--25%
4) The biggest obstacle is Iran, who may consider the former King's
role as a symbol as unacceptable. (6)--2%
5) The biggest obstacle is a lack of enough international support
and attention to Afghanistan. (12)--5%
6) All of the above, more or less equally. (62)--24%
7) None of the above. (27)--10%
November 4, 1999 -- November 11, 1999
[181 votes total]
As of this date, the case of Osama Bin Laden has not reached a conclusive
ending. UN sanctions on the Taliban is to take effect on Nov. 14. Meanwhile,
the pro-Taliban/Osama lobby in Pakistan is spreading reports that Afghans
oppose Bin Laden's extradition. Which of these assessments do you agree
with the most:
1) As claimed by a Pakistani lobby, Osama is a symbol of pride for
Afghans who consider him as a guest and hero. He should not be extradited
under any condition. (37)--20%
2) As claimed by the United States and the UN, Bin Laden is accused
of masterminding anti-American terrorist activities and should be brought
to justice for that reason under any condition. (19)--10%
3) As claimed by other Afghans, Bin Laden - allied with the Taliban
- is no longer a mujahed. His network is responsible for the massacre of
Afghan citizens, the destruction of Afghanistan and for using Afghan soil
for illegal activities. He should leave Afghanistan or be held responsible
according to Afghan penal laws. (110)--61%
4) None of the above. (15)--8%
October 14, 1999 --October 24, 1999
Given Pakistan's interventionist policy toward Afghanistan in past
years, what is your initial impression of the Pakistani military coup d'etat
in relation to the on-going Afghan crisis:
[194 votes total]
A) Will lead to a change in policy, less interventionist, to exert
pressure on the Taliban and pursue a more constructive approach. (25)--13%
B) More or less the same policy will be pursued in support of the
Taliban with no change in the balance of power in sight. (70)--36%
C) Will result in an escalation in Pakistan's intervention in Afghan
affairs to assist the Taliban gain total control as soon as possible. (82)--42%
D) Other possibilities. (17)--9%
September 27, 1999 -- October 4, 1999
In advance of the U.N. General Assembly, pro-Taliban Pakistani propaganda
is unsubstantially claiming that most Afghans would like to see the UN
Afghan seat be vacated. Since this has been a top Pakistani goal for the
past few years. Which option do you favor:
[214 votes total]
A) The Pakistani option for the UN to vacate the Afghan seat and
suspend Afghanistan's representation at the UN for an undetermined period
of time. (10)--5%
B) The Taliban option, to give the Afghanistan seat to the Islamic
Emirate representative. (59)--28%
C) The existing option, to keep the seat in the hands of the nominal
Islamic State of Afghanistan representative until the will of the people
is expressed in the future. (127)--59%
D) None of the above. (18)--8%
September 21, 1999 -- September 26, 1999
The Pakistani government has once again undertaken a so-called "peace
initiative" to facilitate a distant dialogue between the two warring
Afghan factions. Which statement best describes the current Pakistani effort:
[143 votes total]
A) This is not a ploy. As described by the Taliban and Islamabad
itself, Pakistan is an impartial and "honest broker" who can
and should help resolve the Afghan crisis according to
its own views and interests. (15) --10%
B) This is another ploy. As described by the United Front opposition
and many countries, Pakistan cannot be counted on because of its support
for the Taliban. Instead, the UN should play a mediating role. (100)--70%
C) Neither statement is correct. (28)--20%
September 11, 1999 -- September 19, 1999
A US State Department report recently gave evidence of widespread
religious persecution in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. It also stated
that atheism is considered "apostasy" and is punishable by death.
However, the Taliban continue to state that they respect the rights of
all people, regardless of their religious affiliations. What do you believe?
[260 votes total]
A) The Taliban are lying. They are oppressing people not adhering
to their views on Islam. They are openly terrorizing the Shi'a minority
as well as Hindus, Sikhs, etc. (179) -- 69%
B) The Taliban are protecting the rights of
everyone, regardless of religion. (57) --
22%
C) I don't care, those people should not have
rights in Afghanistan. (7) -- 3%
D) No Comment. (17) --
7%
August 11, 1999 -- August 16, 1999
Taliban leaders and several Pakistani religious institutions, have
asked the NWFP Pakistani religious madrassas to close down so that thousands
of trained Talibs could join the war against the Afghan resistance and
anti-Taliban forces. Do you consider this call and action to fight against
Moslem Afghans in their own country as:
[187 votes total]
A) A religious and Jehadi duty, in which any Pakistani, Arab, or
muslim can and should
take part of. (39) --21%
B) A Foriegn, ie. Pakistani conspiracy to extend
its proxy rule over Afghanistan, in the name of Islam, but in reality for
geo-strategic goals. (122) --65%
C) None of the above. (26) --14%
August 2, 1999 -- August 8, 1999
In light of the recent Taliban offensive against the Afghan opposition
forces, what do you think the outcome will be?
[230 votes total]
A) The Taliban, and their foreign recruits will be able to take the
remaining portion of Afghanistan. (72) -- 31%
B) The opposition will continue to survive. (139)
-- 60%
C) I don't know. (19) -- 8%
July 26, 1999 -- August 1, 1999
Several press and eyewittness reports indicate that several thousand
armed Pakistani and Arab extremist fighters
have crossed into Afghanistan to join the Taliban's imminent offensive
against the Afghan resistance, and Anti-Taliban forces. How would you consider
and deal with such a development?
[ 168 votes total]
A) Regardless of their nationality, I consider them as legitimate
Taliban allies whose involvement in the Afghan conflict is legitimate.
(33) -- 20%
B) I consider the Taliban's foreign fighters
as illegitiment invaders who should be dealt with as spies and criminals
according to Afghan penal and national security laws. (109)
-- 65%
C) It does not matter either way. Pakistani
and Arab extremists involvement is not a major issue in the
conflict. (21) --12%
D) None of the above (5) -- 3%
July 18, 1999 -- July 25, 1999
The Taliban have announced that Osama bin Laden can be tried in a
third country (excluding Saudi Arabia and the United States) on the condition
that the suspected terrorist agrees to it. Do you agree with this?
[101 votes total]
A) I disagree. Osama bin Laden should be sent to the United States
for trial, whether he agrees or not. He is a terrorist! (45)
-- 45%
B) I agree. Osama bin Laden should
be sent to a third country ( excluding Saudi Arabia and USA), this is the
only way he will receive a fair trial. (35) --35%
C) I disagree completely. Osama bin
Laden is not a terrorist. He should not be forced to leave Afghanistan
or anywhere else. (21) -- 21%
July 13, 1999 -- July 18, 1999
United States policy and attitude toward the Taliban movement has
fluctuated over the past four years. Taking into consideration the main
bilateral policy contentions dealing with terrorism, human/women rights,
narcotics production and Taliban unwillingness to reach a political settlement,
which of these courses do you consider the best for policy-makers to adopt:
[108 votes total]
A) The "carrot approach," by offering the
Taliban positive incentives, dialogue and cooperation. (22) -- 20%
B) The "stick approach," by exerting further political,
economic and other pressures on the
Taliban and Pakistan to force some changes. (16) -- 15%
C) Multilateral efforts to undermine and ultimately help replace
the Taliban with a more acceptable alternative. (55) -- 51%
D) Maintain the status-quo and follow a policy of irregular-engagement
(3) -- 3%
E) None of the above. (12) -- 11%
July 4, 1999 -- July 11, 1999
Jason Burke, in an article for the Observer, (UK) reported that Osama
bin Laden is currently believed to be in the village of Farmihadda . He
also reported that the Taliban are aware of bin Laden's location, and that
they had even deployed guards to protect his new base. What do you believe?
[140 votes total]
1. Jason Burke is correct. Osama bin Laden is in Farmhidda
and the Taliban are aware of it. They are even helping him. (60) -- 43%
2) The report is false. Osama bin Laden is
not in Farmhidda, and the Taliban have no idea where he is hiding. (22)
--16%
3) The Taliban are hiding him in Kandahar
or somewhere else. (40) -- 29%
4) Osama bin Laden is not in Afghanistan.
(8) -- 6%
5) None of the above. (10) --
7%
June 28, 1999 -- July 4, 1999
The first step in former Afghan King M. Zahir Shah's peace/Loya Jirga
initiative has just been launched with the gathering of a consultative/work
group in Rome. Other steps are to follow in the next few months. In your
opinion, of the events and causes listed below, which one is the most serious
and dangerous factor that could derail and/or damage the Loya Jirga peace
process:
[105 votes total]
1. The Taliban's total military victory on the battlefield
against the Afghan opposition resistance forces. (25) -- 24%
2. Pakistan and the Taliban's invisible undermining and/or overt
opposition to the King's initiative. (28) -- 27%
3. The international community's lukewarm reaction and/or lack of
commitment to support and promote the initiative. (8) -- 8%
4. Iran's opposition to a role being played by the former King.
(7) -- 7%
5. Favoritism and organizational mismanagement within the former King's
work circle (28) -- 27%
6. None of the above. (9) -- 9%
June 20, 1999 -- June 27, 1999
The North West Frontier Province of Pakistan is former Afghan land.
Most of the inhabitants want to have the province renamed Pakhtunkhwa.
Do you believe that:
[138 votes total]
The Pashtuns have a right to be recognized as Pakhtunkhwa (52) --
38%
The Frontier Province is a part of
Pakistan now (28)-- 20%
Only the first step to reuniting with
Afghanistan (38)--28%
None of these (20)--14%
May 30, 1999 -- June 6, 1999
Recently, the Indian goverment has charged that Afghan nationals
are involved in the Kashmiri war. Do you believe this to be true, or just
a false accusation made by Indian officials?
[226 votes total]
It is true. Afghans are involved. (129) -- 57%
It is not true. Afghans are not involved. (55) -- 24%
Maybe, or it is possible. (42) -- 19%
May 23, 1999 -- May 30, 1999
Recent reports indicate again that Afghans, specifically Shiaa Afghans
in the provinces of Bamyan and now Herat, have been the target of mass
murder and persecution by the Taliban. From all accounts, which one of
the following statements is closer to reality to describe the ongoing situation:
1. The Taliban and their foreign supporter are waging a "reign
of terror" specifically aimed at disrupting Afghan ethnic unity, to
consolidate their rule through fear and intimidation. These popular uprisings
are not foreign-inspired. (179) -- 49%
2. The Taliban care and believe in "peace and security,"
and will try to maintain them for the people's sake, and not their own
power-driven agenda. These popular riots are foreign-inspired. (177)
-- 48%
3. None of the above. (13) -- 4%
May 16, 1999 -- May 23, 1999
Recently the Taleban Governor of Kandahar, Mohammad Hassan Rehmani
told the BBC that the recent destruction of some opium poppy fields, was
a signal to the world, showing that the Taleban is serious in its intentions
to rid Afghanistan of the crop. Do you feel that the Taleban's intentions
are genuine or a ploy to keep the UN and other Western critics quiet?
It is a ploy, the Taleban are not serious. (149) -- 58%
The Taleban's intentions are genuine. (110) -- 42%
May 9, 1999 -- May 16, 1999
The former King of Afghanistan recently announced an initiative to
send delegations to meet with both Afghan warring factions, extend an invitation
to them to attend an emergency Loya Jirga and convene a 30-member Jirga
organizing team in the near future. Which of the following best describes
the former King's latest decisions and initiatives ?
[224 votes total]
1. He is now more serious than before and believes
that conditions are ripe for such activities to convene an emergency Jirga.
(51) --23%
2. He is out of touch with the realities on the ground,
and as the Taliban claim, he has lost the trust of the people and his initiative
is as a result of foreign pressure. (76) -- 34%
3. As an afghan, his role in convening a Jirga is acceptable,
but as the United Front (Talib opposition) claims, he should demonstrate
more sincerity, realism and activism. (73) -- 33%
4. None of the above. (24) --11%
May 1, 1999 -- May 9, 1999
The Taliban have recently told the citizens of Kabul to paint their
walls white in order to "beautify" the city. Do you feel that:
[264 votes total]
A) It is a bad idea. Many people cannot even afford
to buy food. How can they be expected to pay for paint. (141) -- 53%
B) I think it is a good idea. Kabul needs to be touched up. (59)
-- 22%
C) It is a good idea, but a bad time to do it. (58) -- 22%
D) No comment. (6) -- 2%
April 24, 1999 -- May 1, 1999
The latest fall of Bamiyan city into opposition hands and subsequent
Taliban retreat from the area is an indication that:
1. The Taliban hold on central and northern Afghanistan
is weak and not supported by the local inhabitants. (161) --
59%
2. The opposition Front is comparatively better
organized and militarily unified. (24) --
9%
3. The Taliban retreat is tactical or temporary
and they will regain control of the area. (72) -- 26%
4. None of the above. (18) -- 7%
April 17, 1999 -- April 24, 1999
The Pakistanis have made it clear that they favor recent moves to
seal the borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as supporting
efforts to expel Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Do you think that Pakistan
has the right to repatriate the Afghan refugees against their will, knowing
that many of the refugees would return to great hardships and/or peril?
[369 votes total]
Yes, the Pakistanis should force them to go back to Afghanistan.
(53) -- 14%
No, the Pakistanis should not force them. (311) --
84%
Maybe (5) -- 1%
April 10, 1999 -- April 17, 1999
Many believe that the Afghan problem requires a durable political
solution. In case a settlement is reached to end the war and pursue a political
solution, which mechanism and/or type of gathering do you favor to decide
on the form of government, constitution and leadership that may be acceptable
to most Afghans and the international community:
[247 votes total]
A referundum under UN supervison (48) -- 19%
Elections under international supervision (51) -- 21%
A representative Loya Jirga (93) -- 38%
A council of Mollahs and religious figures (24) -- 10%
none of the above (31) -- 13%
April 4, 1999 -- April 10, 1999
Recently Jehanzeb Khan Shinwari, a prominent Afghan commander and
close confidant of ex-governor of Ningarhar, Haji Qadeer was gunned down
in Pakistan. Shinwari is just one of many well known Afghans to be killed
in this fashion. Some theorize that the Pakistani government is secretly
behind these killings. Do you believe that the Pakistani Government is
somehow behind the assassinations of prominent Afghan Commanders and other
Afghan Personalities?
[299 votes total]
YES, Pakistan is involved. (227) -- 76%
NO, the Pakistani government is not involved. (45) -- 15%
MAYBE (27) -- 9%
March 27, 1999 - April 3, 1999
Many international organizations, governments, humanitarian, human
rights, women and children's rights groups, experts, journalists, individuals
and now the entertainment industry celebrities are accusing the Taliban
of grave women's rights abuses and "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan.
Do you approve of this growing worldwide condemnation of the Taliban, and
think it is valid and should continue?
YES, the Taliban should
be condemned. (370) -- 60%
NO, the Taliban should
not be condemned. (234) -- 38%
MAYBE
(12) -- 2%
March 21, 1999 -- March 27, 1999
Since the people of Afghanistan have so little, do you think it is
right for the Taliban to prevent them from enjoying Nowruz?
[584 votes total]
NO. It is wrong. The Taliban should not ban Nowruz. (429) --
73%
YES. The Taliban should prevent them from enjoying Nowruz.
(155) -- 27%
March 14, 1999 -- March 20, 1999
Do you think that the return of former king Amanullah Khan's son
could help bring about peace in Afghanistan?
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