VZCZCXRO5881
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHCI #0517 3170735
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130735Z NOV 06
FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1268
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1131
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0445
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0447
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0278
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0278
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0214
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM JECG HONOLULU HI
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1555

UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000517 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IPS/SA-JEFF BROWN, ALSO DS/DSS/ITA, SA/INS 
NEW DELHI FOR RSO, POL AND PA 
MUMBAI AND CHENNAI FOR RSOS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC PREL IN
SUBJECT: DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN DEATH SENTENCE 
IN FRONT OF AMERICAN CENTER 
 
REF: A)  CALCUTTA 00508   B)  CALCUTTA  00513 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  The street in front of post's American Center 
continues to be the venue for daily demonstrations against the 
recent Saddam Hussein death sentence.  A range of the usual 
Leftist groups have come out to express their opposition to the 
verdict but other political groups, such as the youth wing of 
the Congress Party, are also demonstrating.  The groups have 
been not been large, with just 100 to 300 participants, and the 
police have maintained effective control; allowing the American 
Center to continue operations without disruption. (Comment: 
Interestingly, no Muslim groups have been protesting at the 
American Center, possibly reflecting the Left's abilitiy to 
control the scope of political agitation in Calcutta.  End 
Comment.) 
 
¶2.  (U) On November 9, 2006, from 1415 to 1505 hours, the 
Central Kolkata Youth Congress Committee held a demonstration at 
the American Center protesting Saddam Hussein's death sentence. 
About 30 supporters of the group refused to take the usual 
demonstration route and tried entering the street from the wrong 
side of the road (the side closest to the American Center). 
Police stopped their entry and, after some pushing, made the 
demonstrators move to the other side of the street. The 
demonstrators  carried banners, which read "Terrorist of 
humanity Bush," "Bush should be hanged for killing innocent 
Iraqi people," etc.  They shouted slogans, such as "Long live 
Saddam," "Long live Congress," etc.  Speakers condemned the 
hanging sentence, stating that the trial was a mockery conducted 
by puppets of the U.S. and British Governments.  An effigy of 
President Bush was burned. 
 
¶3.  (U) On November 10, 2006, from 1625 to 1650 hours, the 
Communist Party of India-Marxists/Leninists (Naxalites) held a 
demonstration also protesting Saddam Hussain's death sentence. 
About 50 Naxalites demonstrated in front of the American Center 
and carried banners, which read "Enemy of Humanity Bush to be 
burnt to death," "It is not Saddam but Bush who should be hanged 
for killing innocent Iraqis," etc.  They shouted slogans, such 
as "Down with U.S. Imperialism," "U.S. get out of Iraq," etc. 
Speakers condemned the sentence and stated "By hanging Saddam 
you will never win over Iraq." 
 
¶4.  (U) On November 11, 2006, from 1530 to 1620 hours, various 
leftist organizations demonstrated in front of the American 
Center protesting the death sentence given to Saddam Hussain. 
They carried banners, which read "Hang Dictators Imperialists 
Bush and Blair," "American Imperialists remove your hands from 
Iraq," etc.  They also shouted slogans, such as "Break and Burn 
down the black hand of America," "Pentagon is masterminding 
Saddam's hanging," etc.  Speakers condemned the U.S. for 
interfering in the internal matters of Iraq.  A mock trial was 
held in which, after being found guilty, effigies of President 
Bush and P.M. Blair were hanged. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) During these three events, police protection was 
adequate and there were no untoward incidents.  Post anticipates 
demonstrations against the Hussein verdict will continue for at 
least the next few weeks.  The Communist Party of India 
(Marxist) is planning a large march and rally with several 
thousand participants for November 16.  According to police 
contacts, the march route should keep the demonstrators away 
from the American Center and Consulate buildings. 
 
JARDINE