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Most Russians believe intl terrorism strengthening - Poll

MOSCOW. Sept 11 (Interfax) - An overwhelming majority of Russians, 80%, are convinced that international terrorism has become stronger of late, but 55% believe it can still be defeated, a poll has shown.

The Public Opinion Foundation poll of 1,500 respondents was related to the three-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States and the problem of international terrorism. The questions were asked on September 4, 2004, the next day after the tragic resolution of the hostage crisis in North Ossetia's Beslan, which the sociologists say inevitably influenced the respondents' attitudes.

Asked about their opinion about America's activity on countering international terrorism after September 11, 2001, 36% of the respondents said they consider this activity wrong, 27% right, and 37% were undecided.

At the same time, 37% of the respondents said they believe Russia is making a greater contribution to the war on international terrorism than the U.S., 21% gave preference to America, and 42% were unable to formulate their opinion on this issue.

The sociologists also recorded rising concerns about the international terrorism threat among the respondents.

Three years ago, 15% of Russians said the replay of the September 11, 2001 attack was impossible in the near future, while now only 3% think so.

Right after September 11, 2001, only 4% of Russian respondents said a similar attack was more likely to happen in Russia than in Europe or the U.S., while now 23% share this concern.

At the same time, 47% of those polled believe now that a similar terrorist attack could equally likely happen again in any part of the world.