Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST680
2008-07-08 07:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:  

COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY

Tags:  PHUM PREL HU ASEC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUP #0680 1900707
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080707Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3163
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000680 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL HU ASEC
SUBJECT: COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY
PRIDE PARADE

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000680

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL HU ASEC
SUBJECT: COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY
PRIDE PARADE


1. Anti-gay protesters violently disrupted Budapest's
annual Gay Pride Day Parade on Saturday, July 5, resulting
in thirteen damaged police vehicles, the hospitalization of
fourteen unidentified persons and the detention of 58
protesters. The clashes were a disappointment but not a
surprise given the tenor of rhetoric on far right websites
over the past weeks. Although the authorities had prepared
for the event by erecting tall metal fences along the
parade route to partially shield the marchers, police were
unable to fully protect the various politicians and
dignitaries in attendance. Some high-level participants
were knocked to the ground or had their vehicles attacked
by the mob, and remaining marchers were moved to a nearby
subway station for protection. Police responded to the
counter-demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons,
dispersing the rioters into Budapest's large Varosliget
park.


2. The rioters appeared to have planned extensively
for this event and concentrated their presence along the
route at locations which appear to have been coordinated in
advance. Perhaps most disturbingly, police found six
individuals prior to the parade squatting in an unoccupied
apartment overlooking the parade route with unidentified
chemicals and Molotov cocktails at the ready. The anti-gay
protesters pelted the estimated 2000 parade participants
with eggs, tomatoes, bottles, cobblestones and other
objects along the entire route until reaching the end point
at Heroes Square. The protesters then began using gas
grenades and Molotov cocktails, which prompted a robust
police response.


3. In a public statement condemning the violence,
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany called on all parties to
condemn intolerance and announced that a rally against
extremists will be held on September 6. Gyurcsany stated
"this is not a police, nor a gay, nor a Jewish, nor a
Gypsy, but a common cause." Most parliamentary parties
expressed shock at the clashes that occurred, with Fidesz
parliamentary faction leader Tibor Navracsics condemning
the violence and commenting that it was "unacceptable" that
the police were not able to secure public order due to an
"impotent" minority government. Center-right media have
called for the resignation of both the Minister of Justice
and Law Enforcement and the Chief of Police. Speaking for
many, Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky lamented the parade as
another blow to Hungary's international image.
Foley