OPPOSTION MUSAVAT PARTY HOLDS THIRD, PEACEFUL PROTEST OF

UNCLAS BAKU 000329

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON KDEM PHUM PREL CASC AJ
SUBJECT: OPPOSTION MUSAVAT PARTY HOLDS THIRD, PEACEFUL PROTEST OF
RECENT PRICE HIKES


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On March 18, the opposition Musavat party held a
third, sanctioned protest against the January price increases.
Approximately 800 people turned out for the peaceful protest,
calling on the GOAJ to lower prices and provide a better life for
Azerbaijani citizens. Turnout generally was lower than Musavat
leaders had expected; and it appears that few of jailed ex-Minister
Ali Insanov's supporters joined the protest. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On March 18, the opposition Musavat party held its third
sanctioned rally protesting the January price increases.
Approximately 800 people turned out for the peaceful protest,
calling on the GOAJ to lower prices and provide a better life for
Azerbaijani citizens.


3. (SBU) As in previous demonstrations, the Musavat demonstration
was approved for a location and route far away from the city center.
At the appointed time Musavat party protesters marched from Khatayi
metro station to Ukraine circle (one of the marching routes
authorized by the Mayor`s office for rallies). Protestors had
slogans similar to the previous rallies, such as "Lower prices," and
"No to poverty;" they also carried Musavat party and Azerbaijan
flags. Over 300 policemen lined the route and ensured limited
vehicle access to the circle. Human rights activists and and
representatives from the OSCE Baku office as well as the US and
Norwegian embassies observed the rally.


4. (SBU) Along with economic slogans, protestors also shouted
"resign" (presumably referring to the President). Opposition MP
Panah Huseyn spoke about the recent GOAJ annual report to the
parliament and called on the people to pay attention to the
factional infighting within the government. The other speakers,
including Musavat Party Chair Isa Gambar, criticized the price
increases, the unjust economic policy of the government, and
"useless" mortgage loans, calling for the people to mobilize against
these policies.


5. (SBU) The rally was also attended by an organization called
"Returnees to Western Azerbaijan" (meaning current Armenia). The
chairman, who addressed the rally, was critical of government's
discriminative policies and unjust conduct of ex-Minister of Health
Ali Insanov`s trial. (Insanov had recently called upon his
supporters to attend Musavat's March 18 rally to protest his unjust
trial.)


6. (SBU) COMMENT: According to Embassy contacts, the Musavat party
expected to get greater support for this rally from its members and
from ordinary citizens. However, despite better weather than for
previous rallies, Musavat was not able to draw a larger crowd. END
COMMENT.

HYLAND