VZCZCXRO5479
PP RUEHMR
DE RUEHMR #0158/01 0881106
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 291106Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1968
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2234

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000158 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  3/28/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR ETRD KDEM LT
SUBJECT: TOUR D'HORIZON WITH NEW LCD SECRETARY GENERAL 
 
REF: (A) MASERU 157  (B) MASERU 143  (C) MASERU 124 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: JUNE CARTER PERRY, AMBASSADOR, EXEC, STATE. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
Summary 
-------------- 
 
¶1.  (C) With preparations for 2007 national elections moving 
apace, Ambassador engaged Lesotho's Trade Minister (Mpho Malie) 
in a review of internal political developments as well as 
regional and bilateral issues.  Malie, as the ruling Lesotho 
Congress for Democracy's (LCD) new Secretary-General, gave a 
detailed account of party tensions leading up to the January 
shooting of Foreign Minister Moleleki.  Contrary to published 
reports of his stance citing that act as "criminal," Malie, in 
our March 24 exchange, pointed to political discontent as the 
basis.  We emphasized the pressing need for a peaceful electoral 
process.  On economic/trade matters, Malie discussed progress on 
Lesotho's Millennium Challenge proposal and alerted us to his 
planned April 4 meeting on the SACU/FTA (in South Africa). 
Concerning Article 98, Malie (who had been asked by the Prime 
Minister to work with MFA on draft language) promised to follow 
up with the GOL Attorney General's office on the matter.  End 
Summary. 
 
Internal Tensions Within the LCD 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶2.  (C) Malie recounted the circumstances culminating, it seems, 
in the attack on Foreign Minister Moleleki in January.  In his 
capacity as Secretary-General of the LCD, Malie said he had 
insisted during the January party congress on amendments to the 
body's constitution.  Especially contentious was the Amendments 
Committee's decision to limit membership on the youth wing's 
executive committee to those under age 35.  Several members were 
well over age 35 and objected strenuously to the new rule.  The 
Maseru branch of the party was especially rebellious, according 
to Malie.  Members called amendments the "Moleleki amendments" 
as he was chairing the group.  Dissident members were raucous, 
per Malie, and made a bonfire of the documents.  Malie believed 
the roots of dissatisfaction were so intense, renegade party 
members took out their anger on the FOMIN.  He characterized the 
FOMIN as still shaken by the assault; his current trip to Dubai 
with his wife was a vacation intended to mollify the effects of 
the trauma.  (Note:  In a public statement, Malie had initially 
called the assault a criminal matter.  End Note.)  Media 
allegations of a second (but failed) attack were dismissed as 
"journalistic imagination" by Malie. 
 
¶3.  (C) Ambassador queried Malie about the LCD's efforts to 
restrain violence among these elements and to respond to 
opposition parties in an evenhanded manner with the national 
elections approaching.  We stressed the importance of insuring 
free, fair and peaceful elections.  Malie responded that he was 
committed to order and had already "disciplined" certain party 
members.  He welcomed U.S. and international community support 
and said he hoped to meet with an NDI representative in country 
to initiate pre-electoral planning.  (Comment:  Ambassador has 
invited NDI and IRI to consider appropriate programming in 
Lesotho as preparations for the 2007 national elections begin. 
End Comment.)  The Minister acknowledged that how the country 
managed the elections was crucial to future economic and social 
development.  Assuming the SADC co-chair next year adds to 
Lesotho's determination to achieve a positive outcome. 
 
SACU / Free Trade Agreement / Millennium Challenge 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
-------------------- 
 ¶4.  (C) We asked Malie his views as one of Lesotho's most 
perceptive officials and as a firm supporter of the U.S. 
position re the SACU/FTA talks.  The Minister considered the 
talks "on hold."  He believed time and support had been lost due 
to changes in South Africa's cabinet.  Malie shared his opinion 
that former South African Trade Minister Erwin and his team were 
easier to deal with in the past.  Malie plans to meet with South 
African officials the first week in April and express the GOL's 
wish to pursue the SACU/FTA.  Concerning Lesotho's Millennium 
Challenge proposal now being drafted, Minister Malie highlighted 
inclusion of range management as part of the proposal.  We 
observed that several years ago USG had funded research and 
recommendations on this important aspect of development given 
severe soil erosion and unfettered roaming by cattle.  Those 
findings, which included fencing, were not fully developed in 
the past.  Malie asserted that the current government wanted to 
move forward now and take steps to address the problem. 
Ambassador encouraged Malie as a key member of the 
interministerial committee on the MCA to complete a 
comprehensive proposal as soon as possible over the next few 
weeks so MCC teams could begin their reviews. 
 
MASERU 00000158  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Article 98 
-------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) With Malie as one of the officials tasked by Prime 
Minister Mosisili to handle proposed Article 98 language, 
Ambassador informed the Minister that the draft was still under 
review in the Attorney General's office.  Malie said he would 
press the AG to move forward. 
 
Comment 
-------------- 
¶6.  (C) Malie is one of the most level-headed and pragmatic 
officials in the GOL.  He is a valuable interlocutor with the 
USG and his broad experience at Doha, Hong Kong and other sites 
of global trade meetings has earned him a good reputation.  His 
assumption of the LCD leadership role is timely and ought to 
serve the country well in the electoral run-up.  Malie's 
analysis of the FOMIN's situation matches that of Moleleki's 
sister-in-law (a well known doctor) who also told us that being 
in the political spotlight had historically resulted in 
disturbances before major elections.  Secretary-General Malie's 
firm hand and openness to international community assistance 
should leaven potential eruptions.  His voice in the regional 
trade fora may help advance USG objectives regarding SADC and 
SACU as well as serve bilateral interests in development and 
security matters.  End Comment 
PERRY