MOSCOW, April 22, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning what Russians know about the recent developments in Kyrgyzstan, and how Russia should behave in this situation.
An overwhelming majority of Russians are to some extent of aware what happened in Kyrgyzstan (80%): 33% are well aware of the situation, 47% heard something about that. Most of those who keep watching on the situation in Kyrgyzstan are elderly respondents and CPRF adherents (45 and 53% respectively are well informed about that). Only 18% have first heard Kyrgyzstan from the interviewer about what is happening in - most of them are young respondents aged 18-24 (30%). The riots drew the widest response among inhabitants of big and middle-sized cities: 40-41% of respondents are well informed about the situation, compared with 25% of rural area residents.
Whereas during the tulip revolution in 2005, Russians believed it was due to inter-clan struggle for power (28%), now respondents say the mass protests are caused by the fall in living standards and wrong policy of the Kyrgyzstani authorities (47%). The second popular position is that what happened in Kyrgyzstan is coupe d`etat (27%). Respondents also mentioned inter-clan struggle for power (only 2%), riots and robbery (1%).
Most Russians do not have clear view about who organized the recent developments (55%). The rest of them put forward two opposing positions: 15% believe it was Kyrgyz people, 14% mention Kyrgyz opposition. Eight percent are confident that the riots were organized by top power officials close to Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Rarer respondents blame Americans, foreign special services (2% for each) and militants (1%).
Most Russians oppose the participation of Russia in Kyrgyzstan`s domestic affair (60%). Every fifth is confident that Russia should support a new leader come to power (19%): they are basically supporters of Fair Russia Party (32%), pensioners (23%), and all those well informed about developments in Kyrgyzstan (24%). Those who think Russia should support the overthrown leader K.Bakiyev are in the minority (6%): most of them are United Russia party adherents (8%) and communists (7%), and residents of small and middle towns (8%). Most of those who think Russia should intervene in the situation are supporters of Dmitry Medvedev: 8% think Russia should support Bakiyev; 21% - in favour of Roza Otunbayeva.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on April 17-18, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.
The recent mass protests in Kyrgyzstan resulted in the overthrow of president and government. Do you know about that, or have you heard anything about that, or hear for the first time? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Age | ||||
18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and above | ||
Well informed | 33 | 18 | 26 | 36 | 36 | 45 |
Heard something | 47 | 49 | 50 | 47 | 50 | 37 |
Heard for the first time | 18 | 30 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 15 |
Hard to tell | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
According to one version, it was mass protests against authorities` policy. Another opinion is that it was conspiracy, coupe d`etat. There also other versions. In your opinion, what happened in Kyrgyzstan? (open-ended question, not more than three answers) | |||
| 2010 |
| 2005 |
Mass protests against fall in living standards and wrong policy | 43 | It is a struggle between different clans for redistribution of economic and political spheres of influence | 28 |
Coupe d`etat, attempt to overthrow the present power | 27 | It is an attempt of the U.S. to establish control over Kyrgyzstan | 17 |
Inter-clan struggle for power | 2 | It is a rebellion | 15 |
Riots, robbery | 1 | It is people` democratic revolution | 14 |
Other | 1 | It is anti-constitutional coupe resulted in displacement of legitimate president Akayev | 10 |
Hard to tell | 28 | The protests are aimed at establishing Islamic regime in Kyrgyzstan | 4 |
|
| Hard to tell | 11 |
In your opinion, who organized the riots? (open-ended question, not more than three answers) | |
Kyrgyz people, those who are not pleased with the current situation | 15 |
Domestic opposition | 14 |
Top officials close to K. Bakiyev | 8 |
Those who wanted to come to power, difficult to say who exactly | 3 |
Americans | 2 |
Foreign special services | 2 |
Terrorists, militants | 1 |
It was spontaneous | 1 |
Hard to tell | 55 |
In your opinion, what Russia should do in this situation? | |||||||
| Total respondents | Parties, Russians would vote for if elections to the State Duma were held next Sunday | |||||
CPRF | LDPR | Fair Russia | United Russia | Other | I would not take part | ||
Do not intervene, stay neutral | 60 | 55 | 57 | 60 | 61 | 70 | 63 |
Recognize the new government, support for establishing power | 19 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 19 | 10 | 13 |
To help the previous government to regain control | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
Other | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 |
| 6 |
Hard to tell | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 12 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!