MILITARY-CIVIL POLICE CLASH OUTSIDE SAO PAULO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAO PAULO 000560 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, NSC FOR TOMASULO E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR BR SUBJECT: MILITARY-CIVIL POLICE CLASH OUTSIDE SAO PAULO GOVERNOR'S PALACE Classified By: Consul General Thomas White; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Striking members of the Civil Police clashed with on-duty Military Police in a confrontation that left 25 persons wounded near the Sao Paulo Governor Serra's Palace on 10/16. The confrontation, which generated some lurid TV and press images, reflects Civil Police frustration with Serra, for not meeting their demands. The participation of left-wing and union elements in the demonstration also suggests that Serra opponents may have sought to provoke an incident that would call into question Serra's leadership. Right now, the ruling Workers Party (PT) candidate for Sao Paulo Mayor, Marta Suplicy, is sinking in the polls relative to her rival -- and strong Serra ally -- incumbent Mayor Gilberto Kassab. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Striking members of the Civil Police clashed with on-duty Military Police in a confrontation that left 25 persons wounded near the Sao Paulo Governor's Palace on 10/16. A Military Police Colonel was among those wounded. The clash took place when a group of Civil Police demonstrators, who have been on strike for a month asking for a 15 percent raise, marched on the Governor's Palace and demanded to be received. When they did not get their wishes, they broke through one police line and tried to force their way toward the Palace. On-duty Military Police retaliated with rubber bullets and tear gas. In response, some Civil Police brandished arms. After a tense period of confrontation, the protesters dispersed. The incident produced lurid TV images of a "shoot-out" between the two groups, one that involved mostly tear gas and rubber bullets. Rival Organizations ¶3. (SBU) Both the Civil Police and the Military Police work for the State of Sao Paulo. The Military Police were created by the GOB during the period of military rule (1964-1980) and the two organizations have a sometimes testy relationship In general, the Military Police are better armed and have more authority than their Civil Police counterparts. Other Actors ¶4. (U) An additional complicating factor was the presence of members of various unions, Forca Sindical and the Unified Workers Central (CUT) as well as several left wing polticians, in the Civil Police demonstration. Though the Civil Police have their own union, these other organizations participated in solidarity. Later in the day, Governor Serra accused the Workers Party (PT) and the unions of trying to stir up trouble to influence the mayoral election. Comment: It's Probably Politics ¶5. (C) The Civil Police effort to get their salary raised is a longstanding one as is their rivalry with the Military Police. Nonetheless, this latest incident would appear tied to politics. While the Civil Police are frustrated that Serra will not meet with them, at the same time, the PT candidate for Mayor of Sao Paulo, Marta Suplicy, trails incumbent DEM Party Mayor Kassab by 15 points in a 10/15 poll by IBOPE. Kassab is a strong ally of PSDB Governor and likely Presidential candidate Jose Serra, and the Sao Paulo Mayor's race is widely viewed as a prequel for the 2010 presidential election. Consequently, the demonstrators' confrontation with Serra served both the police strikers and the PT in this pre-election environment, raising the pressure on Serra to answer the Civil Police demands and creating an incident that could be used to question the Governor's leadership. WHITE