VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUP #0680 1900707
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080707Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3163

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000680 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL HU ASEC
SUBJECT: COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY 
PRIDE PARADE 
 
 ¶1. Anti-gay protesters violently disrupted Budapest's 
annual Gay Pride Day Parade on Saturday, July 5, resulting 
in thirteen damaged police vehicles, the hospitalization of 
fourteen unidentified persons and the detention of 58 
protesters.  The clashes were a disappointment but not a 
surprise given the tenor of rhetoric on far right websites 
over the past weeks.  Although the authorities had prepared 
for the event by erecting tall metal fences along the 
parade route to partially shield the marchers, police were 
unable to fully protect the various politicians and 
dignitaries in attendance.  Some high-level participants 
were knocked to the ground or had their vehicles attacked 
by the mob, and remaining marchers were moved to a nearby 
subway station for protection.  Police responded to the 
counter-demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons, 
dispersing the rioters into Budapest's large Varosliget 
park. 
 
 ¶2. The rioters appeared to have planned extensively 
for this event and concentrated their presence along the 
route at locations which appear to have been coordinated in 
advance.  Perhaps most disturbingly, police found six 
individuals prior to the parade squatting in an unoccupied 
apartment overlooking the parade route with unidentified 
chemicals and Molotov cocktails at the ready.  The anti-gay 
protesters pelted the estimated 2000 parade participants 
with eggs, tomatoes, bottles, cobblestones and other 
objects along the entire route until reaching the end point 
at Heroes Square.  The protesters then began using gas 
grenades and Molotov cocktails, which prompted a robust 
police response. 
 
 ¶3. In a public statement condemning the violence, 
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany called on all parties to 
condemn intolerance and announced that a rally against 
extremists will be held on September 6.  Gyurcsany stated 
"this is not a police, nor a gay, nor a Jewish, nor a 
Gypsy, but a common cause."  Most parliamentary parties 
expressed shock at the clashes that occurred, with Fidesz 
parliamentary faction leader Tibor Navracsics condemning 
the violence and commenting that it was "unacceptable" that 
the police were not able to secure public order due to an 
"impotent" minority government.  Center-right media have 
called for the resignation of both the Minister of Justice 
and Law Enforcement and the Chief of Police.  Speaking for 
many, Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky lamented the parade as 
another blow to Hungary's international image. 
Foley