Russians Overwhelmingly Support Government Position on Iraq War

74% of Russians think that the Russian government was correct in taking a position against war in Iraq, according to a recent survey by the Public Opinion fund. Only 11% think that the government took the wrong position.

The supporters of communist Gennady Zyuganov (20%) more often than the supporters of other Russian politicians thought the Russian position in relation to the war was incorrect. Moreover, the survey showed that 10% of Russians think that the U.S. army liberated the Iraqi people, while 70% thought they were conquerors. According to 54% of respondents the Iraqi army did not show stubborn opposition to the U.S. soldiers and their allies. In addition, 28% of those questioned are convinced that the opposition was stubborn, and that opinion is especially popular among respondents age 35 and younger - 33%. Moreover, 54% of Russians thought that the Iraqi army would show stubborn resistance. 59% of questioned men and 60% of respondents with higher educations thought the Iraqi army would show stubborn resistance.

41% of Russians think that despite the route of the Iraqi army and the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime the U.S. and its allies will experience armed uprisings in Iraq. 31% do not expect uprisings. 1,500 respondents took part in the survey held across Russia on April 19.