VARIED REACTIONS FROM RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS AT

UNCLAS YEKATERINBURG 000002


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RUS, PD/EUR FOR SBISTRANSKY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PGOV RS
SUBJECT: VARIED REACTIONS FROM RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS AT
YEKATERINBURG'S INAUGURATION CELEBRATION


1. As the world watched the inauguration of President Barack
Obama on January 20, the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg
provided nearly 70 witnesses to the moving event. Among the
guests were Russian political analysts, local government
officials, high school students, FLEX alumni, university
students, eight media outlets, and more than twenty American
citizens who emerged from the woodwork at the last minute asking
to participate. Staff observed a discernible difference in the
reactions between the older Russian guests and those of the
younger Russian students and Americans present. Surprise was
also expressed by several Russian staff members at some of the
details of the Inauguration, such as the prayers and the musical
performances on the Capitol steps. The Russian students and
American citizens expressed excitement and jubilation at several
points during the ceremony.


2. The reception rooms at the Consulate normally accommodate a
maximum of 50 guests at official functions. The original guest
list for the reception counted 45 Russians, including ten
political contacts, media representatives from two internet
portals, two print newspapers, and five TV channels. The
gathering was billed as an "informal reception" in Russian and
as an "inauguration party" in English. A few days before the
Inauguration American citizens resident in Yekaterinburg began
calling the Consulate requesting the opportunity to see the live
feed of the ceremony. By the time of the event, twenty-four
additional names had been added to the guest list. The final
count at the event was estimated at 69 participants. Despite
the tight space, compounded by the roaming TV cameras, an air of
excited expectation buzzed through the crowd.


3. Framed by the American and Russian flags, the CG gave a
welcoming introduction in Russian followed by a brief biography
of President Obama. The PAO, dressed in patriotic colors,
presented a Power Point overview of the schedule of Inauguration
events from the Whistle Stop Train to the National Prayer
Service. The 40 CDs that PAS had burned with President Obama's
bio in Russian and English, the e-Journal on "U.S. Presidential
Transitions" (in English),and the Russian version of
America.gov's "New Administration" pages, were all taken by the
end of the evening, with orders for more fulfilled the following
day.


4. Post placed two TV monitors in adjoining rooms tuned to a CNN
Live broadcast. In the main room a simultaneous translator,
sitting next to a large screen monitor with the English sound
turned down, provided high-quality continuous Russian
translation of the Inauguration ceremony. By the time the
Inauguration ceremony began at 10:00 PM local time, about
two-thirds of the audience was concentrated around the
English-language monitor, while a third was gathered around the
monitor with the Russian translation. By that time most of the
senior Russian political analysts had left, many expressing
surprise at the size of the crowd both in Washington DC and the
Consulate. There was also a sense that some of the
professionals were uncomfortable with the students' obvious
enthusiasm over the celebratory atmosphere in the United States.


5. The owner of a local radio station revealed in a conversation
that, in his opinion, President Obama was still a "dark horse"
with an unpredictable future. He admitted that Obama had
surrounded himself with a strong team of experienced advisers
who he hoped would not let Obama down in his role as the
"President of Change". Another academic expressed the view that
Russia ranked low in US priorities, while he thought many in
Russia believed that it should be America's number one priority.


6. Some guests reported surprise that the transfer of power in
the United States could be such a joyful occasion, at times
sounding almost envious. One FSN was surprised that the
Inauguration included prayer, believing that the United States
had separated church from state. Everyone agreed that the
smooth, peaceful transfer of power in the United States was
exemplary, admitting that this particular Inauguration seemed to
be special, even extraordinary.


7. A dynamic which contributed to the extra sense of excitement
was the meeting of Americans resident in Yekaterinburg and the
mainly young Russian students. As ordinary Russians rubbed
shoulders with ordinary Americans, they found much in common
through the celebration of democratic values and the peaceful
transfer of power. The mix of Americans and Russians captured
the spirit of citizen diplomacy.


8. Despite the overflow crowd and the mixed note sounded by the
Russian political analysts, the evening was a resounding
success. The media gave extensive coverage to the event, with
interviews of the CG, American citizens and local Russians
appearing in both TV and print outlets. The Russian teacher
accompanying her high school students reported that they were
absolutely ecstatic over the opportunity to attend the
Inauguration and that this event would remain one of the most
memorable in their lives. The Americans resident in
Yekaterinburg were extremely grateful for an opportunity to
share this event together in their Consulate. Post is also
grateful to IIP for providing excellent "Transition" materials.


SANDUSKY