ALGERIA: SOCCER VIOLENCE AFTERMATH

UNCLAS ALGIERS 001018 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG - NARDI, NEA/EX STATE ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PINS AG EG SU SUBJECT: ALGERIA: SOCCER VIOLENCE AFTERMATH REF: ALGIERS 1011 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Unconfirmed reports that Algerian fans were injured and killed in attacks in Cairo November 14 following a soccer match between the two countries' national teams have led to public gatherings and some violence. Embassy has no GOA confirmation of deaths among Algerian fans in Cairo. A crowd of several hundred marched past an Embassy residence on their way to the Egyptian Embassy November 15 but never threatened USG facilities. Most of the crowds were peaceful, but small groups have attacked Egyptian businesses in the capital. Embassy is under no threat. A November 10 Embassy EAC decision to warn Embassy personnel to exercise proactive caution and a November 14 warden message warning Amcits to take heightened security precautions remain in effect. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Algiers is abuzz with reports of injuries to and deaths of Algerian fans in Cairo following the November 14 Algeria-Egypt World Cup qualifying match. The claimed death toll given in November 16 press reports ranges from one to twelve; reported numbers of injured vary from twenty to over one hundred. One press report says the consular section of the Algerian Embassy in Cairo confirmed one death; others say the Algerian Ambassador in Cairo has denied any Algerian fatalities. Embassy has no GOA confirmation of any deaths. ¶3. (SBU) The match, which Egypt won 2-0 but which will be followed by a runoff match in Sudan November 18, has generated a stream of emotional reporting in the Algerian press. Press commentary is indignant about the treatment of Algerians, the alleged complicity of Egyptian authorities, and the lack of an adequate reaction by Algerian authorities. There are reports that Air Algerie is issuing cut-price tickets for Algerians to fly to Khartoum to attend the November 18 game. ¶4. (SBU) A group of protestors estimated at 6-700 persons was spotted at approximately 2130 November 15 in the area of Val d' Hydra, approximately 1.5 miles from the Egyptian embassy. The crowd was dispersed by local police forces, and then split into two separate groups, one of which marched past a 24-unit Embassy residence on their way to the Egyptian Embassy. A third group of protestors of undertermined size was already posted at the Egyptian Embassy. Protestors at no time targeted the American residence or the nearby U.S. Embassy. RSO police sources report street disturbances and small fires during the day November 16 in the downtown Didouche Mourad shopping area. They also report that Egyptians in Algiers have been advised to stay home. Press reports on November 16 note that several retail offices of Algeria's largest private wireless communications provider, Egyptian-owned Djezzy, were ransacked. Embassy knows of one other small Egyptian business that was attacked. There are reports that one Egyptian national was injured in an attack and hospitalized. ¶5. (SBU) RSO kept Embassy community informed via text message of the course of events throughout the evening of November 15-16. Following EAC held November 10 (reftel),RSO warned Embassy personnel to exercise proactive personal security after the November 14 game. Following reports that an Algerian team bus was attacked in Cairo November 13, injuring three players, Embassy issued a warden message November 14 warning American citizens to avoid the area around the Egyptian Embassy, where crowds had gathered, and generally to stay away from large public gatherings. That warden message remains in effect. ¶6. (SBU) Embassy will continue to monitor the situation and assess post security posture in the leadup to, and following, the November 18 rematch in Sudan. PEARCE