Survey in Kabardino-Balkaria: 58% of balkarians are ready to participate in protest actions

36% ARE POSITIVE ABOUT KANOKOV; 60% ARE POSITIVE ABOUT CELEBRATION OF THE 450th ANNIVERSARY OF KABARDA’S JOINING RUSSIA

Public opinion poll in Nalchik hold by Caucasus Times on 3-10 August 2007 also focused on the opinions of the local population concerning the large-scale celebration of the 450th anniversary of Kabarda’s joining Russia scheduled for early September 2007.

Separate question was asked to reveal the attitudes of the local residents to the activities of the current President of Kabardino-Balkaria A. Kanokov who is going to celebrate two years in presidential office this September.

Most respondents gave “positive” (36%) or “rather positive” (24%) assessment of Kanokov’s activities in presidential office. 20% assessed him “rather negatively” and 11% - “negatively”. 9% found it hard to respond to this question. In total, 60% tend to evaluate Kanokov’s presidential activities positively, which is almost twice more than number of those who tend to assess his activities negatively (31%). In their oral commentaries, supporters of the current Kabardino-Balkarian president explained their positive assessment of Kanokov’s activities by the fact that “he is trying to bring and maintain order in the republic”, which is not easy during just two years in presidential office.

Attitudes of Nalchik residents towards large-scale celebration of 450th anniversary of joining Russia by Kabarda were mostly favorable although in their oral commentaries many respondents questioned the mere expediency of such celebrations indicating that large sums of money are being spent just for nothing while republic desperately needs money to deal with numerous social problems which are facing the republic.

60% of those polled emphasized their positive attitudes towards celebration of 450th anniversary of joining Russia. 18% said they are “rather positive” about that event. Only 10% were negative and 6% - “rather negative” about the celebration. 6% reported difficulties in answering this question. Total number of those who are positive or rather positive about the celebration (78%) is much higher than number of those who due to various reasons are negative or rather negative about that event (16%).