Russians opposed to military intervention in Syria - poll
MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax) - The overwhelming majority of Russians (84%) have heard about the over-two-years-old Syrian conflict. Some 28% sympathize with the Syrian authorities, 5% speak in favor of the insurgents and 40% deny support to both warring sides, the Public Opinion Foundation said.
It polled 1,500 respondents in 100 towns and cities in 43 regions on August 31-September 1.
Opinions differed on whether or not the international community should intervene in the Syrian conflict: 32% think it should and 35% argue the opposite.
But if military intervention does occur, 40% of the respondents said that Russia should not get involved, 18% wished their country to side with the Syrian authorities and 2% proposed to support the insurgents.
Opponents of the strike against Syria said "each country should choose its path on its own" and feared that "our soldiers might die" if Russia engaged in the hostilities. The respondents also said that "Russia had lots of its own problems" and that "any conflict should be resolved peacefully." Some even said that foreign interference in the Syrian conflict "might spark a world war."
Meanwhile, a survey by the Russian Public Opinion Studies Center (VTsIOM) obtained by Interfax on Wednesday illustrated the opposition of 50% of the respondents to foreign intervention in the Syria and 36% said that the global community should exert its influence on the situation in Syria.
Seventy-seven percent of Russians said they would not support an international military operation against Syria. The number was smaller, 64%, two years ago during the Libyan conflict. Only 11% of today's respondents said they would have approved of a military intervention.
Most of the VTsIOM respondents (43%) said that Russia should not get involved, and others suggested helping Syria, primarily with arms supplies (23%).
VTsIOM polled 1,600 people in 130 towns and cities in 42 regions.
