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