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Half of Russians disagree that Sept 11 events mark beginning of new era

MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) - Some 44% of Russians think that after September 11, 2001, joint efforts between Moscow and Washington in the fight against international terrorism after have helped improve bilateral relations.

As many as 27% think that nothing has changed, while 6% believe that the relations have worsened, the Public Opinion Foundation reported Thursday, referring to a poll that sampled 1,500 respondents. The poll was conducted throughout Russia on August 31.

Furthermore, 43% of those polled said that Russia's position in the world did not change after September 11, while 36% said the same about the United States.

A total of 34% said that Moscow's influence on international processes was enhanced (24% said the same about the United States), while 5% disagreed with the statement (20% for the U.S.).

Moreover, 51% objected to the idea that "the world changed and a new era began" after the terrorist attacks on September 11 (up from 42% in October 2001), while some 26% agreed with the idea (down from 39% in October 2001).

Less than one third of the respondents described the U.S. anti- terrorist campaign in Afghanistan as appropriate, and 45% said they had a negative attitude regarding the operation.

The supporters of the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan justified their position by saying that "Afghanistan is a center of terrorism, and terrorism must be destroyed." America has helped the entire world, including Russia, the respondents said. "They have helped us by moving the borders of rebels further away."

Those who objected to the U.S. military campaign also had their reasons. They said that civilians die in every war, and there can be no excuses. "They kill both terrorists and civilians. Civilians and children have died," they said.

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