Kocharian least reliable leader in S Caucasus, poll says

May 19, 2005

Armenian President Robert Kocharian is the least trusted leader in
South Caucasus, says a public opinion poll.

The survey conducted in April by Gallup International, a worldwide
research organization, among a thousand Azerbaijanis, Georgians and
Armenians of different social groups, questioned respondents on their
attitude toward several countries and their leaders.

The poll indicated that 19% of respondents in Georgia and 63% in
Armenia trust Kocharian. The figure in Azerbaijan was 0%.

77% of Azerbaijanis, 38% of Georgians and 2% of Armenians trust
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

45% of respondents in Azerbaijan, 26% in Armenia and 72% in Georgia
said they trust Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

The poll suggested that 51% of Azeris, 15% of Georgians and 87% of
Armenians confide in Russian President Vladimir Putin. US President
George Bush is trusted by 45% of Georgians, 32% of Azerbaijanis and
Armenians. 64% of Georgians, 34% of Azerbaijanis and 27% of Armenians
trust Ukrainian President Viktor Yushshenko.

22% of Azeris, 15% of Georgians and 40% of Armenians trust Belarusian
President Aleksander Lukashenko.

38% of the respondents said revolutions are likely to take place in
Russia, 26% – in Armenia and 17% in Azerbaijan. Most of the respondents
predicted no revolution in Azerbaijan and Armenia in the near future.

The fact that Putin is trusted by 51% of the respondents, while Bush
by 32% indicates that the United States should step up efforts to
improve its rating in Azerbaijan. On the other hand, this is related
to the fact that Azerbaijani citizens have close economic and trade
ties with Russia and pressures on Azerbaijanis residing in Russia
have relatively decreased after Putin was elected President. Putin’s
respect to Azerbaijan, its people and President as well as his gestures
aimed at ensuring equality of rights have been noticeable.

Putin’s attention to the problems faced by Azerbaijanis is by far
more noticeable than that of his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.

A similar situation was indicated in the Soros Foundation public
opinion polls held in Azerbaijan, which also pointed out the ‘defeat’
of the United States’ by Russia.

This also shows that the difference in the attitudes towards the
United States and Russia is not based on the perception of democracy.

Russia does not urge Azerbaijan to follow democratic principles,
unlike Washington, which is more active in this area. It seems
that geographical proximity, familiar language and culture and most
importantly, close economic and trade relations, set priorities for
Azerbaijani citizens.