RUSSIA: DEMARCHE ON MURDER OF POLITKOVSKAYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 011313

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA: DEMARCHE ON MURDER OF POLITKOVSKAYA

REF: STATE 169346

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) In an October 9 conversation with First Deputy
Foreign Minister Denisov, the Ambassador delivered reftel
demarche, underscoring deep U.S. concern over the murder of
journalist Anna Politkovskaya, referring also to Department
and White House public statements, and stressing the need for
a thorough investigation. The Ambassador questioned the lack
of a public GOR reaction to date, beyond the Prosecutor
General's statement that he was personally taking charge of
the investigation.


2. (C) Denisov said the murder of Politkovskaya was a
"disastrous event" and a "terrible tragedy" for Russia. He
said the GOR appreciated U.S. concern, and agreed that the
murder sent a disturbing message to the international
community over the situation of rule of law in Russia.
Denisov agreed to reinforce U.S. concerns with the
Presidential Administration and said that he expected a
statement to be issued later today, with the Kremlin taking
the lead. Denisov emphasized that the GOR would thoroughly
investigate the murder, which was a direct challenge to
Russia's media and rule of law. Noting that General
Prosecutor Chayka had taken personal charge of the
investigation, Denisov emphasized the seriousness with which
the GOR was approaching the case. He said that it went
without saying that no one in a position of authority had
anything to do with the crime. It was a sad fact, he
commented, that many individuals could have benefited from
Politkovskaya's death.


3. (C) Ambassador also spoke October 9 with Ella Panfilova,
Chairwoman of the Presidential Administration's Council for
Civil Society and Human Rights. Pamfilova agreed that a
public GOR statement was "long overdue," but said she
expected one to be issued October 9. Based on conversations
with officials in the Presidential Administration, Panfilova
believed that the leadership understood the significance of
the murder and was taking all necessary steps to mount an
effective investigation.


4. (C) Ambassador also spoke with Aleksandr Lebedev, Novaya
Gazeta's largest minority shareholder, about the killing.
Lebedev expressed appreciation for the U.S. statement and
characterized the murder as an extremely serious challenge to
Russia and its government.


5. (C) Comment: The Ambassador will meet later today with
Novaya Gazeta Chief Editor Dmitriy Muratov to pay condolences
and reinforce U.S. support for the newspaper's efforts to
ensure a vigorous investigation and to ascertain whether any
further information has emerged from the initial
investigation. The Ambassador will attend Politkovskaya's
funeral on October 10. Septel reports on public reaction to
the Politkovskaya murder.
BURNS