DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN DEATH SENTENCE

UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000517 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IPS/SA-JEFF BROWN, ALSO DS/DSS/ITA, SA/INS NEW DELHI FOR RSO, POL AND PA MUMBAI AND CHENNAI FOR RSOS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC PREL IN SUBJECT: DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN DEATH SENTENCE IN FRONT OF AMERICAN CENTER REF: A) CALCUTTA 00508 B) CALCUTTA 00513 ¶1. (SBU) The street in front of post's American Center continues to be the venue for daily demonstrations against the recent Saddam Hussein death sentence. A range of the usual Leftist groups have come out to express their opposition to the verdict but other political groups, such as the youth wing of the Congress Party, are also demonstrating. The groups have been not been large, with just 100 to 300 participants, and the police have maintained effective control; allowing the American Center to continue operations without disruption. (Comment: Interestingly, no Muslim groups have been protesting at the American Center, possibly reflecting the Left's abilitiy to control the scope of political agitation in Calcutta. End Comment.) ¶2. (U) On November 9, 2006, from 1415 to 1505 hours, the Central Kolkata Youth Congress Committee held a demonstration at the American Center protesting Saddam Hussein's death sentence. About 30 supporters of the group refused to take the usual demonstration route and tried entering the street from the wrong side of the road (the side closest to the American Center). Police stopped their entry and, after some pushing, made the demonstrators move to the other side of the street. The demonstrators carried banners, which read "Terrorist of humanity Bush," "Bush should be hanged for killing innocent Iraqi people," etc. They shouted slogans, such as "Long live Saddam," "Long live Congress," etc. Speakers condemned the hanging sentence, stating that the trial was a mockery conducted by puppets of the U.S. and British Governments. An effigy of President Bush was burned. ¶3. (U) On November 10, 2006, from 1625 to 1650 hours, the Communist Party of India-Marxists/Leninists (Naxalites) held a demonstration also protesting Saddam Hussain's death sentence. About 50 Naxalites demonstrated in front of the American Center and carried banners, which read "Enemy of Humanity Bush to be burnt to death," "It is not Saddam but Bush who should be hanged for killing innocent Iraqis," etc. They shouted slogans, such as "Down with U.S. Imperialism," "U.S. get out of Iraq," etc. Speakers condemned the sentence and stated "By hanging Saddam you will never win over Iraq." ¶4. (U) On November 11, 2006, from 1530 to 1620 hours, various leftist organizations demonstrated in front of the American Center protesting the death sentence given to Saddam Hussain. They carried banners, which read "Hang Dictators Imperialists Bush and Blair," "American Imperialists remove your hands from Iraq," etc. They also shouted slogans, such as "Break and Burn down the black hand of America," "Pentagon is masterminding Saddam's hanging," etc. Speakers condemned the U.S. for interfering in the internal matters of Iraq. A mock trial was held in which, after being found guilty, effigies of President Bush and P.M. Blair were hanged. ¶5. (SBU) During these three events, police protection was adequate and there were no untoward incidents. Post anticipates demonstrations against the Hussein verdict will continue for at least the next few weeks. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is planning a large march and rally with several thousand participants for November 16. According to police contacts, the march route should keep the demonstrators away from the American Center and Consulate buildings. JARDINE