(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in France are concerned with the developments of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 69 per cent of respondents are very or moderately worried about the hostilities, and 37 per cent fear the conflict may destabilize Europe.

According to international regulations, South Ossetia and Abkhazia belong to Georgia—a former Soviet republic. In the early 1990s, both pro-Russian regions became de facto independent but failed to be fully recognized as sovereign nations. Separatist forces operate in both regions. Georgia is currently led by pro-Western politicians and is in talks to enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

On Aug. 7, the Georgian government sent troops into South Ossetia in a surprise attack to assert sovereignty over the region. The following day, Russian tanks entered South Ossetia and confronted the Georgian army. The Russian government claimed that it was acting in defence of Russian citizens living in the region. In recent years, Russia has handed Russian passports to the vast majority of South Ossetia residents. Russian troops occupied South Ossetia and other parts of Georgia, and some disturbances were reported in Abkhazia as well.

On Aug. 12, French president Nicolas Sarkozy—whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU)—urged Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgia as he brokered a ceasefire between the two countries. On Aug. 17, Sarkozy said that he warned Russian president Dmitry Medvedev of "serious consequences" if his country fails to deliver on its part of the deal, including the troop pull-out.

Polling Data

As you now, a conflict has broken out between Russia and Georgia. How worried are you about this conflict?

In your view, will the conflict...

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Aug. 12, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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