STREET BATTLE IN CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS ROMA PLIGHT

UNCLAS SOFIA 001013

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM PGOV BU
SUBJECT: STREET BATTLE IN CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS ROMA PLIGHT



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Riots rocked a section of Bulgaria's capital
Sofia August 14-15 when some 200 armed Roma marshaled to combat a
rumored imminent attack by a skinhead group. Several people were
injured during two days of unrest. Both the President and Prime
Minister called for a quick investigation to prevent escalation of
ethnic tensions. Violence has now eased off but anger and suspicion
remain pronounced in both the Roma and adjoining communities. The
street battle again highlighted the acute social problems of the
Roma minority and their uneasy relationship with law enforcement.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) With details still murky and contradictory information and
rumor still flying, authorities are piecing together what transpired
over two days of violent clashes between Roma and skinheads. The
police are pointing at Roma as instigators (the usual practice) but
the causes no doubt run much deeper. According to police and media
reports, on August 14, some 200 Bulgarians of Roma origin armed with
knives, axes, sticks and spades went on a rampage in the north-west
Sofia district Krasna Polyana, after rumors surfaced that they were
about to be attacked by a group of skinheads. Reportedly chanting
"Death to the Bulgarians," Roma smashed the windows of four cars and
overturned garbage cans. Several people were apparently injured,
but exact numbers of the injured are not available. Police detained
four Roma for acts of hooliganism. While police are still
investigating, Roma witnesses claimed it was retaliation for a clash
that took place the evening of August 12, when a group of young men,
described by Roma witnesses as skinheads, allegedly attacked three
Roma teenagers, one of whom was severely beaten. On August 19,
police detained four ethnic Bulgarians, between 16 and 20 years of
age, as accomplices in the beating. Police identified them as
members of a teenage group with no apparent connection to the
skinheads. (Note: While skinheads are known to be present in
Bulgaria, their numbers are thought to be comparatively small).

3. (SBU) According to human rights activists, the latest incidents
were symbolic of the plight of Bulgarian Roma, many of whom are
poor, illiterate, and marginalized. Roma make up about 4.7 percent
of Bulgaria's 7.8 million population, according to official
statistics, though the actual figure is likely significantly higher.
The Third Annual Index of Failed States recently released by the
Fund for Peace and Foreign Policy magazine gave Bulgaria a low score
on its ability to address the needs of the Roma population.
(Bulgaria, which now chairs the Decade of Roma project, has made
undistinguished progress.)

PRESIDENT, PM URGE SWIFT INVESTIGATION


4. (SBU) Commenting on the incident, which made sensational,
front-page headlines in Bulgaria's main dailies, both President
Georgi Paranov and Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev called for a
swift investigation in order to prevent escalation of ethnic
tensions. Speaking with reporters, Stanishev said Bulgaria should
be a home to all citizens "who should have equal rights and
obligations." Stanishev was quoted as saying that certain political
forces have been instigating ethnic hatred. Extreme nationalist
party Ataka has successfully exploited previous tensions between
ethnic Bulgarians and Roma. Strongly anti-United States and
anti-EU, Ataka emerged as a surprisingly potent protest force during
2005 general elections and has since continued to fan negative
attitudes against the country's Roma and Turkish minorities.
Following the latest incident, Ataka leader Volen Siderov again
mounted his demagogic soapbox, saying the situation exposed a lack
of developed statehood in Bulgaria, as illustrated by the alleged
passivity of the police "while hundreds of raging Roma endangered
people's lives." Another extreme nationalist group, the Bulgarian
National Union, announced on August 19 that it planned to organize
self-defense groups to protect the population in case of emergency
situations such as ethnic clashes and natural disasters.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: This latest incident of Roma unrest is unlikely
to spill over into sustained protests or ethnic violence.
Nevertheless, the disturbances expose underlying ethnic tensions and
highlight the acute need for consistent long-term actions on part of
the Bulgarian government to integrate the country's Roma population.


KARAGIANNIS