GEORGIA: PROTESTS CONTINUE THOUGH CROWD PALTRY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000747

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: PROTESTS CONTINUE THOUGH CROWD PALTRY

REF: TBILISI 735

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Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOHN F. TEFFT. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) Summary: The protests waned further on Wednesday,
April 15 with only an estimated 1500-2000 protesters in front
of Parliament. A small number of protesters (20-30) remained
at the Presidential Residence. Approximately 30-40
protesters gathered at the Public Broadcasters building but
the cages (simulated jail cells) which had previously closed
the street were moved to the side of the road, allowing
traffic to move freely. A group of 300-400 protesters left
Parliament at 5 pm intending to block access to the State
Chancellery. At 5 pm it began to rain and most of the crowd
dispersed. At 6 pm, Embassy Observers estimated 500
protesters in total at all sites. End Summary.


2. (C) Comment: While non-parliamentary opposition leaders
vow to continue, they struggled to get 2000 protesters into
the street in front of Parliament on Wednesday. Speakers
looked visibly demoralized and their tactics remain as
confused as ever. Forecasts for rain and Orthodox Holy Week
holidays are sure to further limit the number of protesters
over the next few days. While it is too early to predict the
impending end of the protests as a number of
non-parliamentary leaders say they are determined to continue
indefinitely, it seems clear to virtually all that protests
are losing momentum. End Comment.

Protest Numbers Minimal - MOIA Calm


3. (C) Observers put Wednesday's crowd between 1500-2000,
which reached its peak at roughly 4:30 pm. A portion of the
crowd (300-400) moved to block the State Chancery building at
about 5 pm. A small number of protesters remained overnight
at the Presidential Residence (20-30) in the 10-12 tents that
have been set up there. Four cages were also placed in front
of the Presidential Residence. Eight cages (simulated jails)
remained at the Public Broadcasters building but had been
moved to the side in order to allow free traffic flow. A
small number of protesters (30-40) were there, mostly inside
the cages. Rain began at about 5 pm and considerably
diminished the crowd to the point where Embassy observers put
the numbers of protesters at approximately 500 at all sites.
The protesters were mostly middle aged males. MOIA
representatives told Poloff that they expected no violence
and believed the protests were losing momentum. MOIA
representatives suspected the decision to block only the
Chancellery was a pragmatic one because of its close
proximity to Parliament and the limited amount of protesters
available rather than any shift in strategic thinking. Some
leaders have indicated that protests will continue through
Orthodox Holy Week though others have said there will be no
protests during the holidays. (Embassy Comment: We believe
the non-parliamentary opposition has no overall strategy to
handle protests if any during Holy Week and the widely
inconsistent comments given about this represent the lack of
consensus. End Comment.)

Speakers Dour - Though Rhetoric Still Harsh


4. (C) The stage was only about half-full (compared to
previous days) of opposition leaders on Wednesday and
virtually all the speakers appeared dour in spite of their
rhetoric. Salome Zourabichvili, who on April 11 had urged
the crowd to block the Marriott so that GoG officials would
be unable to speak to the press, said that "dialogue is the
language of the devil." Levan Gachechiladze raised a few
Qlanguage of the devil." Levan Gachechiladze raised a few
eyebrows when he declared that Saakashvili was personally
responsible for the global economic crisis. Koba
Davitashvili declared that "they" would stay indefinitely in
front of Parliament, the Presidential Residence, Public
Broadcasters building, and the State Chancellery in tents and
makeshift cells. Davitashvili later clarified that neither
he nor any other of the non-parliamentary opposition leaders
would actually be staying in the tents or cages, but the tent
and cages would serve as symbolic continual presence.

Attacks Alleged


5. (C) A number of individuals have alleged they were
targeted and attacked due to their political views. The
Ambassador has inquired into every reported case thus far
with MOIA, which is responsible for investigating the
incidents. The Public Defender's Office has spoken to a
number of the alleged victims and remains in contact with the
MOIA concerning the cases. The Public Defender's Office told
us on April 15 that it does not believe that the attacks are
being conducted by the police (septel). (Embassy Comment:
Details in each case are still unclear and Post will continue
to follow up on each case. Post does not rule out that

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alleged victims may have been targeted by certain UNM
supporters, though many cases may be the result of increased
criminal activity in Tbilisi. End Comment.)
TEFFT