VZCZCXRO4868
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHPA RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0087/01 0531619
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 221619Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2646
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2995

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000087 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV EAID MCC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO'S PRIME MINISTER-ELECT SPEAKS OUT ON VICTORY, AGOA, 
MCC, AND MEDIA 
 
REF: Maseru 77 and Previous 
 
MASERU 00000087  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  On February 21, 2007, a victorious and magnanimous 
Prime Minister-elect Mosisili convened a standing room only 
press conference to discuss the LCD's election win, alleged 
abuse of Lesotho's "Mixed Member Proportional" parliamentary 
system, the MCC, AGOA, and the closure of a popular opposition 
radio station.  After a rough and tumble campaign season, the 
sometimes sharp-tongued Mosisili has returned to his 
pre-election statesmanlike demeanor.  Dismissing criticism of 
election procedures and the possibility that audits might call 
into question the poll's results, PM Mosisili defended LCD 
actions and stated that the election results accurately 
reflected the will of the Basotho people.  The coming weeks will 
be critical in determining the population's acceptance of 
Lesotho's 2007 National Assembly election results.  END SUMMARY. 
 
-------------------------------- 
The Winner's Election Assessment 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  In a very calm, statesmanlike address, Mosisili thanked all 
those who had helped his Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) 
achieve its election victory.  He also thanked diplomatic 
missions (with special emphasis on South Africa) for their 
observation and electoral assistance efforts.  He emphasized 
that the LCD was "bruised" by the elections, due to the fact 
that more seats had gone to opposition parties than ever before. 
 Mosisili expressed astonishment that urban constituencies had 
defected to the opposition while rural areas had stuck with the 
LCD, stating that his party has brought great services to 
Lesotho's cities and lagged behind in the countryside.  Citing 
high unemployment in rural areas, he concluded that these voters 
supported him solely "on faith".  He also dismissed suggestions 
that a post-election audit might call into question the poll's 
results, but somewhat grudgingly accepted the merit of 
conducting such an audit. 
 
¶3.  Several observer missions vocally criticized Lesotho's main 
parties for subverting the "Mixed Member Proportional" (MMP) 
parliamentary system by not appearing on the party list, instead 
forging alliances with smaller parties to serve as their 
"surrogates".  Under Lesotho's MMP system, 80 parliamentary 
seats are chosen directly by constituencies, while the remaining 
40 are doled out among political parties using a formula which 
favors parties not chosen for the first 80 seats.  By not 
standing for election under their own names on the party list, 
large parties such as the LCD lend a great deal of support to 
their "surrogates" who are favored by the MMP mechanism.  (NOTE: 
 This tactic paid off for the LCD, who's "surrogate", the 
National Independence Party, gained more than half of the 40 
non-constituency seats.  END NOTE.)  In the press conference, 
Mosisili dismissed this criticism, stating that political 
parties, like individuals, cannot be denied the right to free 
association. 
 
------------ 
MCC and AGOA 
------------ 
 
¶4.  Responding to questions concerning Lesotho's economy, PM 
Mosisili stated that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) 
was poised to give Lesotho's economic development a shot in the 
arm.  He stated that a compact which would be worth 
approximately two billion Maluti ($350 million) would be signed 
"by mid-year".  Regarding the African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(AGOA), PM Mosisili noted that Lesotho must diversify beyond the 
"fragile textile industry" in order to take advantage of the 
opportunities offered by this Presidentially-extended 
legislation. 
 
------------------------------- 
Temporary Closure of Harvest FM 
------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  On the afternoon of February 20, Harvest FM, a broadcaster 
of politically-oriented radio call-in shows focused on 
complaints against the election process and the ruling party, 
was shut down on orders of the Ministry of Communications. 
Within 24 hours, the station was back on the air broadcasting 
religious programs.  When asked about the situation, Mosisili 
first cited his party's strong record on supporting free 
expression.  He then stated it would be irresponsible for the 
government to allow any radio station to promote anti-government 
violence on air.  He also stated that the station had allowed 
its license to expire, and that its owner, a South African 
citizen, had not received a residency or work permit and had 
been deported.  (NOTE:  The allegations that the station 
promoted violence and that its license had expired have been 
refuted by station representatives.  END NOTE.) 
 
 
MASERU 00000087  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
-------------------------- 
To The Victor Go The Foils 
-------------------------- 
 
¶6.  COMMENT:  While FM Mosisili clearly appears pleased with his 
party's election win, the LCD is not out of the woods yet.  As 
he noted during the press conference, there is no culture in 
Lesotho of a defeated candidate calling the victor and offering 
congratulations.  Parties have announced that the opposition ABC 
and BNP parties will hold a joint rally on Sunday at which a 
strike may be called on the basis of claimed election 
irregularities.  Of note, PM Mosisili is moving forward his 
swearing-in ceremony tomorrow (February 23) - guaranteeing a 
smaller and more hastily arranged event than his last grand 
swearing-in ceremony in 2002.  While the temporary closure of 
Harvest FM was intended to tamp down the opposition's vociferous 
rhetoric, it could serve as a rallying point for a frustrated 
opposition.  The coming weeks will be critical in determining 
the population's acceptance of Lesotho's 2007 National Assembly 
election results.  END COMMENT. 
PERRY