Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CALCUTTA508
2006-11-06 12:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
LEFTISTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEATH
how-toVZCZCXRO0452 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0508 3101238 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 061238Z NOV 06 FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1257 INFO RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 1119 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 0439 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 0441 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0272 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0272 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0209 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0030 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1541
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000508
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER PGOV IN
SUBJECT: LEFTISTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEATH
SENTENCE
REF: STATE 182968
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000508
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER PGOV IN
SUBJECT: LEFTISTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEATH
SENTENCE
REF: STATE 182968
1. (SBU) In response to ref. A, on November 5, post convened an
EAC meeting to discuss the local security implications of the
death sentence verdict in the Saddam Hussein case. EAC had no
indication of direct threats. However, local security and
police were directed to be alert for possible protests against
the USG.
2. (SBU) On November 6, post issued the Department approved
warden message alerting AMCITS in the Consular district about
the possibility of demonstrations. The leadership of Communist
Party of India-Marxist (CPM),which rules West Bengal, condemned
the death sentence. On November 5, State CPM General Secretary
Biman Basu described the verdict as "judicial assassination" and
added "We have asked our party units to call upon democratic
minded citizens to protest." The CPM leadership met on November
6 in Calcutta to plan a program of protests against the the USG.
3. (SBU) At 1510 hrs on November 5, 300 members of the Student
Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of
India (DYFI),the student and youth wings of the CPM,
demonstrated in front of the Consulate's American Center, post's
Public Affairs office. The demonstration was peaceful and
lasted for approximately 40 minutes. The demonstrators carried
banners demanding "Saddam not be hanged, to be released," "Down
with U.S. Imperialism," and "U.S. hands off of asian countries."
Speakers condemned the U.S. for interfering in Iraq's internal
affairs and shouted slogans such as "Students of the world unite
and oppose Saddam hanging," and "U.S. get out of Iraq." The
demonstrators also burned an effigy of President Bush.
4. (SBU) Post does not anticipate violence against AMCITs or USG
property and personnel. However, a series of protests
orchestrated by the Leftist groups will likely continue over the
next few days or weeks and create disruptions for operations at
the American Center. Muslim demonstrations are also possible,
but the dominance of the CPM in West Bengal, will ensure much of
the protest activity will be coordinated by the CPM and its
allies. Other states in East and Northeast India will not
likely see anti-U.S. activities.
JARDINE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER PGOV IN
SUBJECT: LEFTISTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEATH
SENTENCE
REF: STATE 182968
1. (SBU) In response to ref. A, on November 5, post convened an
EAC meeting to discuss the local security implications of the
death sentence verdict in the Saddam Hussein case. EAC had no
indication of direct threats. However, local security and
police were directed to be alert for possible protests against
the USG.
2. (SBU) On November 6, post issued the Department approved
warden message alerting AMCITS in the Consular district about
the possibility of demonstrations. The leadership of Communist
Party of India-Marxist (CPM),which rules West Bengal, condemned
the death sentence. On November 5, State CPM General Secretary
Biman Basu described the verdict as "judicial assassination" and
added "We have asked our party units to call upon democratic
minded citizens to protest." The CPM leadership met on November
6 in Calcutta to plan a program of protests against the the USG.
3. (SBU) At 1510 hrs on November 5, 300 members of the Student
Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of
India (DYFI),the student and youth wings of the CPM,
demonstrated in front of the Consulate's American Center, post's
Public Affairs office. The demonstration was peaceful and
lasted for approximately 40 minutes. The demonstrators carried
banners demanding "Saddam not be hanged, to be released," "Down
with U.S. Imperialism," and "U.S. hands off of asian countries."
Speakers condemned the U.S. for interfering in Iraq's internal
affairs and shouted slogans such as "Students of the world unite
and oppose Saddam hanging," and "U.S. get out of Iraq." The
demonstrators also burned an effigy of President Bush.
4. (SBU) Post does not anticipate violence against AMCITs or USG
property and personnel. However, a series of protests
orchestrated by the Leftist groups will likely continue over the
next few days or weeks and create disruptions for operations at
the American Center. Muslim demonstrations are also possible,
but the dominance of the CPM in West Bengal, will ensure much of
the protest activity will be coordinated by the CPM and its
allies. Other states in East and Northeast India will not
likely see anti-U.S. activities.
JARDINE