PUBLIC OPINION TURNING?

The results of a public opinion survey on the subject of the war in Chechnya conducted in the provincial Russian city of Vladimir by an independent polling organization commissioned to do so by a local radio station were reported by the human rights organization Memorial on October 18. “The results of the survey showed that 49 percent of Vladimir residents believe that the best way out [of the Chechen conflict] is to present full independence to Chechnya and to withdraw the Russian forces from the republic. Last year such an opinion was held by 38 percent of those contacted. This year, 45 percent of the residents of the oblast center consider that the counterterrorist operation in Chechnya should be continued to a victorious end. Last year, 62 percent if those contacted held such an opinion.” In addition, 16 percent of respondents believe that the war in Chechnya will end soon. Last year 26 percent were of that opinion (Hro.org, October 18).