SUPERMARKET RAIDS SPUR GOS TO FOCUS ON ROMA NEEDS

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000191

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON ELAB SOCI LO ECONOMIC REFORM
SUBJECT: SUPERMARKET RAIDS SPUR GOS TO FOCUS ON ROMA NEEDS



1. (SBU) Summary. Throughout February, Roma activists raised
the alarm about coming changes in the welfare system and
have called for national strikes. Beginning February 18,
organized groups of Roma have raided grocery stores,
primarily in South-Eastern Slovakia to steal alcohol,
cigarettes, and candy. GOS officials and independent
journalists have told emboffs that political campaigning in
Roma settlements is responsible for tensions in the region.
At the February 25 cabinet meeting, the GOS approved 12
recommendations negotiated by Labor Minister Kanik and Roma
leaders to assist Roma to obtain jobs and maximize social
benefits. End summary.

Changes in the Social Benefit System
--------------

2. (U) One element of the government's sweeping economic
reforms is cutting social benefits for some unemployed while
providing incentives to seek jobs. Recognizing the dearth
of employment opportunities in parts of Slovakia, the
central government allocated funds to municipalities, which
in turn were supposed to create community service jobs.
Unemployed individuals who performed such jobs would receive
a "bonus" payment in their social benefits. The new system
of social benefits will take effect March 1. Unfortunately
the municipalities and local labor offices are still
unprepared to implement the programs designed to take the
bite out of the benefit cuts.


3. (U) As word spread about the impending reductions in
social benefits, many Roma communities became alarmed. Roma
will be particularly affected by the cuts, especially those
in settlements, where unemployment can reach 100 percent.
Most leaders, such as Government Plenipotentiary for Roma
Klara Orgovanova, called for Roma to protest through legal
means. Others called for more radical measures.

Looting in Eastern Slovakia
--------------

4. (U) On February 18, eighty Roma looted a supermarket in
Levoca in eastern Slovakia. Local Roma residents claimed
they needed to steal food for their families in light of the
changes to the welfare system. Grocery store looting spread
to several other towns, with the latest tactic to send women
and children, since police are reluctant to use force
against them. Store owners report that staples like bread
and milk are not looted; alcohol, cigarettes, and candy
disappear. In the southeastern town of Trebisov February
24, police believed several hundred Roma intended to loot a
store, and they dispersed the group using high-pressure
water hoses and tear gas.


5. (U) The increasing violence has alarmed citizens of all
ethnic groups. The Association of Young Roma in Banska
Bystrica warned that the store looting might grow into a
national problem full of "xenophobia, brutality and hate."
The Roma Council of Slovakia is cooperating with police to
calm the social turmoil, and proposed creating a guard force
involving Roma themselves.

What is Really Behind the Violence?
--------------

6. (SBU) Initially, some press reports and government
officials said that Roma usurers had organized the raiding
parties out of fear they would lose income when benefits
decrease. Orgovanova told emboffs that usurers, while
highly influential in Roma communities, were not the main
cause of the looting and protests. Rather, prominent Roma
leaders and members of political parties are campaigning in
Roma settlements against current GOS reforms, which has
contributed to the escalation of tensions in the region.


7. (SBU) A reporter for Roma newspaper Romano Lil, Denisa
Havrlova, informed POL assistant that Roma from settlements
and other friends from eastern Slovak villages have told her
about communist party (KSS) members going around and
instigating people to rebellion. They argue that Roma were
much better off during the former regime when they had
enough to eat, they had jobs, and were taken care of. Now
they don't have any of this and so as soon as this
government is out, a new government (including the KSS) may
be able to help them much more effectively.


8. (SBU) An MP from PM Dzurinda's SDKU party told P/E chief
February 24 that the same forces behind organizing the April
3 referendum on early elections--including the labor unions
and SMER party--were behind the tumult in Roma communities.
In addition, Jana Kviecinska, the Director of the Government
Office for Human Rights, told POL assistant that she knows
about communists, labor unionists and other political
activists of the opposition visiting Roma and inciting them
against the GOS. They are urging Roma to participate in the

April 3 referendum, by promising improvement of their
situation after the fall of the Dzurinda government.

Initial Government Action
--------------

9. (U) The GOS has reinforced security in eastern Slovakia
with 2000 extra police and 1000 soldiers. Prime Minister
Dzurinda and Minister of Interior Palko traveled to Kosice
February 24 for a first-hand view. The same day, Minister
for Labor and Social Affairs Kanik brainstormed with Roma
leaders on ways to diffuse the situation.


10. (SBU) Ladislav Richter, Chair of the Council of Roma
NGO's, told POL assistant that Kanik and his staff were very
forthcoming. They agreed on twelve points to assist Roma to
obtain jobs and maximize social benefits. Most notably,
Kanik accepted Richter's proposal that Roma NGO's, in
addition to municipalities, be able to obtain government
funding to create community service jobs. In addition, the
Roma leaders agreed with Kanik that in early March Richter
will try to put together a session of Roma leaders from all
over Slovakia to meet with economy ministers, Kanik, Palko
and Dzurinda. They hope to find some mechanism to resolve
this crisis.

Government Approves Labor Minister's Recommendations
-------------- --------------


11. (SBU) The cabinet held a February 25 meeting to decide
how to react to the Roma concerns and avoid further
violence, at which Kanik presented the "Twelve Points."
Kviecinska, a long-time human rights activist, phoned POL
assistant immediately after the meeting. She was very happy
with Dzurinda's leadership on the issue and the decisions
reached by the GOS. She said all the economic ministers
were very well prepared for the session and were very
constructive. The PM opened the meeting by saying, "This is
the time for action and we have to get things done!"
Kviecinska was very excited about the outcome.


12. (SBU) The GOS approved the Twelve Points, including
Richter's proposal to allow NGO's, organizations like Red
Cross, and charities to assist Roma through creating
community jobs. Civil servants dealing with social issues
will work closer to Roma; some of them will be administering
services directly in settlements. Ministers were asked to
find more job opportunities and subsidies for "persons with
long-term unemployment," i.e. Roma. The GOS also extended
the age limit for practical training (which graduates from
any type of school may use) to 25 years. Employers receive
state subsidies for each person they employ, and the
apprenticeship time is calculated into retirement benefits.
Kviecinska said this will help young Roma. She added that
many of these things could have been adopted before, "but
there was no political will. However, finally the GOS took
real action!" (Comment: We understand these measures do not
require parliamentary action.)


13. (U) The Twelve Points (Note internal numbering)
-------------- --------------
1) Increase bonus for those in community service jobs from
SKK 1,000 to 1,500, beginning in April or September 2004.

2) Take preventive measures against usury: pay social
benefits more often, in goods, monitored by the police in
the worst-affected localities.

3) Provide bonuses for organizers of larger "activation
programs" (creating community service jobs for more than 100
workers) including municipalities and NGOs.

4) Motivate employers to hire long-term unemployed:
government will pay for the training selected by the
employer for up to 10,000 SKK

5) Extend the age limit for the post-school practice period
to 25 years; lengthen the period of the practice beyond
current six months, increase the benefit from 1,000 to 1,500
SK. Community service work should be recognized as one of
the forms of the practice.

6) Apply all reform laws systematically. Increase
information of both unemployed and officials about the full
range of possible social benefits, ensure all municipal
offices are able to provide them.

7) Increase social stipends for high school students,
including transportation costs to and from the school.

8) Assist elementary schools students by providing free
meals, textbooks, and school supplies in areas with high

unemployment. Perhaps provide parents with transitory one
time contribution for costs related with school attendance
(shoes).

9) Reconsider the price structure for utilities; set an
existential minimum of utilities (a strictly limited package
for a minimum price).

10) Reimburse travel costs related to seeking a job.

11) Take action against usury, by police and law enforcement
agencies.

12) Speed up the start of the Fund for Social Development,
which will provide for community partnerships for social
inclusion, and start programs specifically for the
inhabitants of settlements.

Comment
--------------

14. (SBU) It is too early to tell whether the government's
"Twelve Points" will entirely calm the situation, but the
GOS has surprised many by acting swiftly and decisively.
With just over a month before the Presidential election and
referendum on early elections, political interests are
playing a leading role in the development of this social
issue. Emboffs will meet with Roma activists and local
officials in eastern Slovakia February 26 and 27.

THAYER


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