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FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2187
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0056
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2481

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000362 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR A/S FRAZER AND AF/S; NSC FOR DR. CINDY COURVILLE AND BILL LUCAS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  7/28/2016 
TAGS: PREL UNGA USUN PGOV LT
SUBJECT: UNGA BILATS/OFFICIAL VISIT FOR LESOTHO'S PRIME MINISTER 
 
 
MASERU 00000362  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
¶1.  This is an action message.  See paras 5 and 6. 
 
Background 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  (C) Post recommends high level bilats for Lesotho Prime 
Minister Mosisili during the United Nations General Assembly 
(UNGA) and an official visit to Washington immediately 
thereafter or at a later available date.  The Government of 
Lesotho has demonstrated its commitment to U.S. policy through 
the mid-2006 signing of an Article 98 agreement, support for 
U.S. policies in Iraq, outspoken positions against terrorism 
immediately following 9/11 and thereafter, successful submission 
of its MCC proposal and world-recognized leadership in the area 
of combating HIV/AIDS.  In stark contrast to other countries in 
the region, Lesotho is unique in its determination to see 
through the "Know Your Status" campaign to test and treat all 
citizens.  As the incoming chair of SADC, Lesotho will play an 
important role in exercising leadership across the region. 
Through orderly post-independence national elections in 2002 and 
first-ever local elections in 2005, the country has demonstrated 
a commitment to transformational democracy under difficult 
economic and political strains. 
 
¶3.  (C) An AGOA top performer, Lesotho has shown its willingness 
to work with public and private sector partners to advance 
economic development and diversification.  Throughout often 
difficult SACU/FTA negotiations, Lesotho has been a strong voice 
in support of USG positions despite opposition from its all 
encompassing neighbor, South Africa.  With its second national 
elections less than a year away, ostensible encouragement by the 
U.S. to "stay the course" is important despite a spate of 
pre-electoral violent incidents, moderated to some degree by 
U.S. and other donors' interventions, there appears to be deep 
interest in moving forward to solidify democratic gains -- 
including the over 50 percent "wins" by women candidates in the 
2005 elections.  In order to move from "transforming" to 
"sustained" status, Lesotho will require continued, public U.S. 
dialogue and support. 
 
¶4.  (C) We believe that the UNGA High Level Session offers an 
excellent opportunity to advance our agenda in Africa as well as 
to recognize the strides the Government of Lesotho (GOL) has 
made in the past two years, building on its 2003 electoral 
foundation and its roles in SADC and the AU. 
 
Specific Recommendations 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Lesotho's First Lady, an anti-AIDS pro-education leader, 
has already accepted First Lady Laura Bush's Literacy panels and 
luncheon invitation.  Post strongly recommends a meeting between 
Lesotho's Head of Government, Prime Minister Mosisili and 
President Bush with Secretary of State Rice and AF Assistant 
Secretary Frazer.  The Prime Minister and the Minister of 
 
SIPDIS 
Foreign Affairs have indicated their interest in both the UNGA 
bilat and meeting the President there, if present.  An official 
visit to Washington is also requested.  Recognizing the 
constraints of scheduling, it may be most useful to have such a 
visit in late 2006 or early 2007.  Lesotho will be six months 
into its SADC chairmanship by January, should be in the final 
stages (or past) of MCC accord and still four months before its 
own national elections.  The UNGA and an official visit present 
opportunities to: 
 
-- Reinforce USG interest in free and fair elections in Lesotho. 
 
-- Praise the GOL leader on the successful 2005 and 2003 
elections and stress the importance of continuing. 
 
-- Express appreciation of Lesotho's signing an Article 98 
agreement with the U.S. and its condemnation of terrorism. 
 
-- Emphasize the importance of Lesotho as a "model" for other 
SADC countries in its HIV/AIDS "Know Your Status" campaign. 
 
-- Encourage the Prime Minister to press for SADC action on 
Zimbabwe via a concerted intervention with President Mugabe on 
his abuse of human rights. 
 
-- Emphasize that Lesotho's success in moving its MCC proposal 
forward sets a further example for LDCs, regardless of size, in 
addressing transformation and poverty reduction. 
 
Additional Points 
 
MASERU 00000362  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
------------------------- 
 
-- With its role as well in the African Union (e.g., sending 
peacekeepers to Darfur), Lesotho must recognize its added 
responsibilities as a member of the international community. 
 
-- In that regard, Lesotho must offer firm, vocal support for 
human rights resolutions and influence other African nations to 
support respectable Human Rights Council candidates. 
 
-- It is in Africa's best interest to have suitable and 
responsible representatives who are not afraid to criticize 
African nations -- or others -- for crimes against humanity, 
dictatorial policies and rejection of opposition party 
participation as part of the democratic process. 
 
-- In its own elections, Lesotho must insure inclusion of all 
stakeholders, rejection of any potential gender inequities or 
perception of corrupt practices in balloting or campaigning. 
 
-- The U.S. has appreciated Lesotho's role in AGOA, its efforts 
to diversify the economy through trade missions such as that to 
the U.S. in 2005 and encourages strengthening of regional trade 
ties. 
 
-- Lesotho's vocal support of a SACU/FTA and its voice at 
Cancun, Doha, and the WTO (Hong Kong) demonstrate its mature 
approach to global market changes. 
 
-- Congratulate the Prime Minister (PM), his Cabinet and the 
First Lady for publicly recognizing the threat HIV/AIDS poses to 
both the physical and economic health of the nation. 
 
-- Confirm the USG's continued support for HIV/AIDS initiatives 
through PEPFAR; our educational support through the Ambassador's 
Girls Scholarship Program (AGSP) and the Peace Corps. 
 
-- Conclude that we look forward to greater security cooperation 
through future IMET programs and to Lesotho's support for USG 
global efforts against terrorism -- and for democratic 
transformation. 
 
¶6.  (C) UNGA bilats and an official visit to Washington allow us 
to offer public recognition of Lesotho's advances and to seek 
the GOL's vote on issues of importance to us in the UN and other 
international bodies.  Post believes a high-level "pat on the 
back" will significantly boost Lesotho's standing and help steer 
the country toward political, security and economic policies we 
consider priorities. 
PERRY