THE HAGUE, 21/03/03 - Now that the war in Iraq has actually begun, support for the American/British intervention is growing rapidly among the Dutch population. In a single day, support rose from 27 percent to 41 percent, pollster Maurice de Hond reported yesterday.

Among supporters of all three coalition partners, the Christian democrats (CDA), conservatives (VVD) and Pim Fortuyn List (LPF), a majority now supports the war, while on Wednesday only among LPF followers was there a majority in favor.

In total, 47 percent of those polled now say that war is the only way to get rid of Saddam Hussein, compared with 34 percent on Wednesday. A majority (52 percent) still considers the Netherlands should not give any direct or indirect military aid. One in six considers that the Dutch should also send ground forces, and 32 percent say the Netherlands may give indirect aid.