US Department of Defense             Update: Jan. 12, 2005 - Iraqi Wrap Recent public opinion polls reveal a significantly different picture of the situation on the ground and the prospects for successful elections than are portrayed in the media. Polls show that Iraqis are generally optimistic about the future of their country. l 53.8% of Iraqis think "Iraq today is generally headed in the right direction," as opposed to 32% who respond "in the wrong direction." (International Republican Institute, Dec. 5) l 66% of Iraqis believe their life will be better "one year from today." (IRI, Dec. 5) l 82% of Iraqi business owners and managers believe Iraq's economy will grow over the next two years. (Zogby International, December 2004) Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has vowed that nationwide voting would be conducted in Iraq on Jan. 30. The prime minister also said that Iraqi government efforts to curtail the insurgency are bearing fruit. As evidence, he pointed to Iraqi security forces' recent capture of the alleged leader of the Mohammed Army insurgent group and several more arrests involving other suspected terrorists operating in Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces have increased their forces in northern Iraq by sending elements of the Iraqi Emergency Response Unit and the Iraqi Intervention Forces to Mosul. The move will provide additional security during the Jan. 30 elections. Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon said Britain will deploy 400 troops from the 1st Battalion, "The Royal Highland Fusiliers," "for a limited period of time" as security reinforcements. The Cyprus-based battalion, known as the "Extremely High Readiness Reserve battalion," will deploy to Iraq to join Multinational Division (Southeast). Reconstruction in Iraq continues -- 1,550 construction projects are under way throughout the country -- compared to just 200 projects under way in June. l Projects include large, long-term capital projects on sewage treatment facilities, power plants and oil- distribution infrastructure, and smaller projects such as rebuilding schools, hospitals and rail stations. Task Force Baghdad soldiers detained six possible insurgents suspected of involvement in the assassination of the governor of Baghdad province after an early morning raid Jan. 11. The raid was based on tips from local sources. Published by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Public Affairs