‘Anti-Americanism on Rise in Islamic World’
"We have seen an increase in anti-Americanism in the Muslim world. We’ll not deny this," Powell told American Broadcasting Company (ABC) television.
The Secretary of State stressed that the US would not waver in its fight against the insurgents. He claimed that the coalition would quell the resistance in regions such as Felluce (Fallujah) before the Iraqi elections in January 2005.
"Yes, it’s [violence] getting worse and the reason it’s getting worse is that they [insurgents] are determined to disrupt the elections," explained Powell.
The Secretary of State acknowledged that America’s popularity among Muslim countries continues to plunge, but he underlined that successful elections in Afghanistan and Iraq would go a long way towards repairing the damage.
"What the Muslim world will see is that in Afghanistan, 10 million people who have registered to vote will vote on the ninth of October and bring in place a freely elected president," indicated Powell. "And I think we’re going to do the same thing in Iraq if we stay the course."
Observers point out however that the stance of Powell is considerably different than that of the US President George W. Bush, who continues to exude optimism when it comes to the situation in Iraq.
Powell contradicted high-level officials in the Bush administration in recent weeks by announcing that key information on the pre-war conditions in Iraq were withheld from him. He also does not believe that weapons of mass destruction will ever be found in Iraq.
