SOUTH INDIA REACTS TO HUSSEIN VERDICT: SECURITY NOT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENNAI 002552

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

FOR SCA/INS, DS/IP/SCA and DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER PGOV IN
SUBJECT: SOUTH INDIA REACTS TO HUSSEIN VERDICT: SECURITY NOT
COMPROMISED DESPITE PROTESTS

REF: A) STATE 182968 B) CHENNAI 2523 C) CALCUTTA 0513 and previous

D) NEW DELHI 07618


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Reactions to the Saddam Hussein verdict from the
left-leaning political parties in south India - Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - ranged from mild opposition to strong
condemnation. Protests were peaceful overall yet indicative of the
region's steadfast opposition to the USG's policy in Iraq. In Tamil
Nadu, nearly 400 arrests occurred after a demonstration in close
vicinity to the U.S. Consulate General. All protestors were later
released and no harm was caused to American citizens or locally
engaged staff. END SUMMARY.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN CHENNAI: CITY ON ALERT BUT SECURE


2. (SBU) The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) led an
anti-U.S. demonstration on November 8 near the U.S. Consulate. At
4:30 p.m. protestors started shouting slogans against the USG and
President Bush. Some of the demonstrators tied flags to their feet
and stamped on posters of the President. When some demonstrators
attempted to burn a U.S. flag and effigy of the President, police
and event organizers stopped them. Approximately 400 police were
deployed to the area and they began making arrests just fifteen
minutes into the rally. Police presence was robust and dealt with
demonstrators in an even-handed fashion. In total, nearly 400
protestors were arrested, all of whom were peacefully detained and
later released the same evening.


3. (U) After we learned of the planned demonstration, on November 7
post issued a warden message to advise American citizens about the
event. The message drew on the language provided in ref A.


4. (SBU) The TTMK (Organization for the Progress of Muslims) is a
leading Islamic organization in Tamil Nadu, mainly championing
communal causes. Although the TMMK has no history of organizing
terrorist violence, it employs hardliner Islamic rhetoric in its
rallies, which routinely draw hundreds of volunteers. The
organization has a strong youth cadre disenchanted with the more
moderate Muslim political parties such as the Indian Union Muslim
League. The TMMK is not a political party yet; it does not contest
elections but influences election outcomes through Islamic communal
mobilization. The TMMK has consistently opposed Hindu groups and
parties such as the RSS and BJP, as well as U.S Middle East
policies.

SOUTH INDIA STRONGLY REACTS; NO IMMEDIATE THREAT POSED


5. (SBU) While the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu opposed the Saddam
Hussein death sentence on humanitarian grounds, several other
parties such as the CPI(M) and the AIADMK strongly condemned it as
"a rigged verdict delivered by a puppet court after a farcical trial
which has made a mockery of the judicial process." AIADMK leader
and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha went on record
stating that no other outcome could be expected from a court setup
by the United States in an occupied country. In Communist-led
Kerala, Chief Minister Achuthanandan condemned "U.S. imperialist
aggressions." Throughout the region, Muslim and Leftist
organizations held protest demonstrations against the verdict,
however no violence was reported. An editorial in prominent Muslim
newspaper Madhyamam criticized the awkward silence of the Union
Minister of State for External Affairs, E.Ahmed, a leader of the
Indian Union Muslim League which itself has condemned the verdict.



6. (SBU) In Karnataka, reaction to the verdict was muted among both
local Shia and Sunni Muslim groups, and featured small impromptu
processions in towns located in the northern districts of Bijapur,
Belgaum, Gulbarga and Bidar. Both English and Kannada language press
carried condemnatory editorials. Roshan Baig, a senior Muslim
Congress leader told Post that he expects a large protest in
Bangalore after Friday noon prayers on November 10.


7. (SBU) Finally, Andhra Pradesh experienced minimal disruption.
While the Communist parties and Muslims expressed disappointment
over Saddam's verdict, minimal organizing occurred.

REACTION PREDICTIBLE: NO CAUSE FOR IMMEDIATE ALARM


8. (SBU) COMMENT: Demonstrations against the Hussein verdict were
largely both predictable and contained throughout the south Indian
states. Although public opposition to U.S. Iraq policy is genuine
and widespread, the demonstrations were mostly an effort by

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relatively small groups to gain attention and appeal to their
supporters. Solidarity with fellow Muslims has considerable
resonance among south India's large Muslim population, while
Leftists oppose what they view as U.S. violations of Iraq's
sovereignty. Post will continue to closely monitor the situation as
well as potential threat levels against Americans in the region.
HOPPER