April 29, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Apr. 29, 2003 - Russian president Vladimir Putin gets low marks for his handling of the conflict in Chechnya, according to a poll by the Russian Center for Public Opinion and Market Research. 65 per cent of respondents say Putin has been unsuccessful in dealing with guerrillas in the breakaway republic.

(CPOD) Apr. 29, 2003 - Russian president Vladimir Putin gets low marks for his handling of the conflict in Chechnya, according to a poll by the Russian Center for Public Opinion and Market Research. 65 per cent of respondents say Putin has been unsuccessful in dealing with guerrillas in the breakaway republic.

Chechen rebels have tried to secede from Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Putin tried to link the al-Qaeda network to the Chechen rebels. The president then faced international criticism over his decision to use a lethal gas to end a hostage taking in a Moscow theatre last year. At least 129 hostages died in the rescue operation.

As far as a permanent solution for Chechnya, 38 per cent of respondents say the Russian government should act more severely to root out the guerrillas, while only 12 per cent favour direct negotiations.

Polling Data

How has Vladimir Putin dealt with the Chechen guerillas?

	Nov. 2002	Mar. 2003
Successfully	19%	30%
Unsuccessfully	74%	65%
Don't know	6%	3%

What policy should the Russian government pursue now regarding Chechnya?

	Mar. 2003	Jan. 2003
Continue the policy pursued until now	11%	7%
Act more severely to do away with guerillas	38%	37%
Reach an agreement with Chechen leaders	12%	20%
Pay more attention to economy, peaceful life	28%	26%
Don't know	8%	9%

Source: Russian Center for Public Opinion and Market Research
Methodology: Interviews to 1,600 Russian adults, conducted in April 2003. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.