Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MOSCOW10324
2006-09-15 13:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS PROTEST MILITARY COOPERATION
how-toVZCZCXRO4472 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHMO #0324 2581319 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151319Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2375 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 010324
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS PROTEST MILITARY COOPERATION
WITH NATO AND U.S.
REF: MOSCOW 10230
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Alice G. Wells.
Reasons 1.4 (B/D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 010324
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS PROTEST MILITARY COOPERATION
WITH NATO AND U.S.
REF: MOSCOW 10230
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Alice G. Wells.
Reasons 1.4 (B/D).
1. (SBU) Russia's Communist Party (KPRF) followed through
September 14 on its promise to demonstrate against military
cooperation with NATO and the U.S., including the
now-postponed Torgau '06 exercise (reftel). According to
media reports, demonstrations took place in Moscow, Saratov,
Omsk, Yaroslavl, Voronezh, and Tomsk. In some locations, the
KPRF was joined by members of the National Bolshevik Party,
the Red Youth Vanguard, and several veterans and patriotic
organizations, such as the Movement for Army Support and the
Union of Soviet Officers.
2. (SBU) The demonstration in Moscow, which occurred
adjacent to the Embassy, comprised several hundred
protesters. Many carried KPRF banners, as well as signs
protesting possible U.S. military activity in Russia.
Speakers exhorted listeners to reject calls for closer
military ties with NATO and the U.S. Some also demanded the
resignation of GOR officials responsible for organizing the
Torgau exercise. At least 50 paramilitary police were on
hand. We observed no disturbances.
3. (C) KPRF Deputy Chairman Vladimir Kashin told us
afterwards that demonstrations occurred throughout Russia's
88 jurisdictions. He said KPRF leader Gennadiy Zyuganov was
in Khabarovsk, where he claimed 2000 people took part.
(NOTE: Khabarovsk is the site of the alleged murder of a
Russian national earlier this month by a vacationing U.S.
soldier, who is now in Russian custody. END NOTE.) Kashin
told us the purpose of the protests was to promote the
"defense of Russia's borders against NATO and U.S. military
incursions." He added that the KPRF would continue its
campaign to ensure that no future military exercises occurred
on Russian soil.
4. (C) COMMENT: While we are skeptical of Kashin's claim
that protests occurred in all of the country's jurisdictions,
anti-NATO and anti-U.S. military sentiment runs high among
Russians, according to recent polls. Such sentiment,
especially if accompanied by continuing protests against
foreign military activity, would complicate the State Duma's
task of ratifying the NATO Status of Forces Agreement if/when
it finally reaches the legislature for consideration.
BURNS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS PROTEST MILITARY COOPERATION
WITH NATO AND U.S.
REF: MOSCOW 10230
Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Alice G. Wells.
Reasons 1.4 (B/D).
1. (SBU) Russia's Communist Party (KPRF) followed through
September 14 on its promise to demonstrate against military
cooperation with NATO and the U.S., including the
now-postponed Torgau '06 exercise (reftel). According to
media reports, demonstrations took place in Moscow, Saratov,
Omsk, Yaroslavl, Voronezh, and Tomsk. In some locations, the
KPRF was joined by members of the National Bolshevik Party,
the Red Youth Vanguard, and several veterans and patriotic
organizations, such as the Movement for Army Support and the
Union of Soviet Officers.
2. (SBU) The demonstration in Moscow, which occurred
adjacent to the Embassy, comprised several hundred
protesters. Many carried KPRF banners, as well as signs
protesting possible U.S. military activity in Russia.
Speakers exhorted listeners to reject calls for closer
military ties with NATO and the U.S. Some also demanded the
resignation of GOR officials responsible for organizing the
Torgau exercise. At least 50 paramilitary police were on
hand. We observed no disturbances.
3. (C) KPRF Deputy Chairman Vladimir Kashin told us
afterwards that demonstrations occurred throughout Russia's
88 jurisdictions. He said KPRF leader Gennadiy Zyuganov was
in Khabarovsk, where he claimed 2000 people took part.
(NOTE: Khabarovsk is the site of the alleged murder of a
Russian national earlier this month by a vacationing U.S.
soldier, who is now in Russian custody. END NOTE.) Kashin
told us the purpose of the protests was to promote the
"defense of Russia's borders against NATO and U.S. military
incursions." He added that the KPRF would continue its
campaign to ensure that no future military exercises occurred
on Russian soil.
4. (C) COMMENT: While we are skeptical of Kashin's claim
that protests occurred in all of the country's jurisdictions,
anti-NATO and anti-U.S. military sentiment runs high among
Russians, according to recent polls. Such sentiment,
especially if accompanied by continuing protests against
foreign military activity, would complicate the State Duma's
task of ratifying the NATO Status of Forces Agreement if/when
it finally reaches the legislature for consideration.
BURNS