RESPONSE TO VIOLENT PROTEST AT RECIFE CONSULATE DURING

UNCLAS RECIFE 000150

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CC, DS/ICI/PII, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/WHA, BRASILIA
FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC KPAO PTER BR US
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO VIOLENT PROTEST AT RECIFE CONSULATE DURING
PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

REF: RIO DE JANEIRO 1167, SAO PAULO 1248

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (SBU) Summary: Demonstrators protesting President Bush's
visit to Brazil marched on the U.S. Consulate in Recife --
peacefully on Friday November 4 and violently the next day. The
second group of approximately 200 protesters included members of
the Landless Movement (MST),who came armed with sticks, stones
and a sickle. Despite a valient effort by two policemen, the
leaders cracked the security glass of the Consulate guard
booth, covered the walls with red paint and attacked the
policeman who tried to arrest the perpetrators. After analyzing
surveillance tapes, the Consul met with the state police
commander and then requested an investigation by Federal Police.
In a public diplomacy effort to prevent violence at future
demonstrations, the Consul gave interviews to local TV and
newspapers pointing out the importance of rule of law to
guarantee freedom of expression and public safety. End Summary


2. (U) On November 3, the Consulate learned that a
demonstration against the presidential visit was being planned
for the next day. A warden message advised Americans to avoid
the area and take precautions. Police protection was requested.
The small group of 50 demonstrators who marched on November 4
were peaceful, limiting their action to burning an effigy on a
donkey cart.


3. (SBU) Rumors of a second demonstration reached the Consulate
the same day, and PSO advised the police that the Saturday
march, starting from the bankworkers union, would mobilize
several hundred protestors. Due to a major soccer game, police
sent only one patrol car to the Consulate at the last moment.
The regional leader of the Landless Movement (MST),Jaime
Amorim, can be seen on the Consulate's surveillance tapes,
giving orders and taking a stick to one of the policemen. Amorim
later spoke to reporters who came to cover the protest, charging
that police threatened his group with their guns. The tapes
clearly show the police evading blows and retreating immediately
after the attack led by Amorim. The windshield of the patrol car
was smashed.


4. (U) After consultations with RSO and Embassy Brasilia, the
Recife Consulate asked for a meeting with the commander of
Pernambuco's uniformed police (policia militar) Col. Claudio
Jose da Silva. Da Silva agreed that in the future more police
protection would be provided and the street could be closed to
head off the march. He noted that only the Federal Police could
open an investigation into the attack on the Consulate,
according to international law. In a meeting with Federal Police
Superintendent Bergson Toledo Silva, the consul turned over the
surveillance tapes and the football-size stone that badly
cracked the security booth glass. The Federal Police asked for
an official request to prosecute those responsible for the
damage to the Consulate and said charges made by the Pernambuco
police would be adjudicated together with the Consulate's
complaint. Police leadership welcomed the Consulate's effort to
provide evidence and to draw the line against violence.


5. (U) As the Consul pointed out to the police, legal action
could have limited results unless public opinion can be
mobilized on the side of the law. The police agreed that copies
of the tapes, showing the violent attack on the Consulate, could
be made available to television reporters. Both evening and
morning newscasts of the local TV Globo and SBT affiliates
showed the footage of the attack and quotes from the consul to
the effect that action by a few delinquents endangers both
peaceful protestors and passersbys. Both major newspapers in
Recife carried the story November 9 on the Consulate's request
for a police investigation and noted the inadequate protection
given to the diplomatic mission.


6. (SBU) Comment: The violence was premeditated and the leaders
can clearly be identified. In the spirit of zero tolerance for
threats to U.S. citizens and missions, the Consulate hopes to
ensure that those who plan to use violence will now know that
there will be consequences for any future attack.




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