VZCZCXRO2602
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0386/01 1841614
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031614Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3114
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3494

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000386 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/ODAC, S/CT, D, P, M, INR, 
CA, AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PGOV LT
SUBJECT: MASERU EAC CONVENES PRIOR TO POSSIBLE JULY 5 PROTEST MARCH 
 
REF: MASERU 379 
 
MASERU 00000386  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. convened post EAC on 
July 3 to assess the mission's security posture and potential 
threats following the July 1 announcement of an unsanctioned 
July 5 political opposition protest march and sit-in scheduled 
to end at the Prime Minister's office (reftel and septel).  EAC 
members agreed that there is no information to suggest that USG 
interests are the subject of hostile intentions and that no EAP 
tripwires had been crossed at present, but concurred with 
informing U.S. mission employees and U.S. citizens in Lesotho, 
reviewing security measures, and, in light of the Embassy's 
closure on July 4, taking preparatory measures in the event of 
disturbances or disruption of transportation services on July 5. 
 EAC characterizes the current political climate as tense.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On July 3, Embassy Maseru's EAC convened to assess 
mission's security posture and potential threats following the 
July 1 announcement of an unsanctioned July 5 political 
opposition protest march scheduled to end at the Prime 
Minister's office (reftel and septel).  Charge, Peace Corps 
Director, Peace Corps APCD, A/MO (acting Post Security Officer), 
Consul, P/DEP Officer, HIV/AIDS Coordinator and IMO 
participated.  The EAC reviewed the following developments: 
 
-  Opposition political parties have indicated their intention 
to conduct a mass march in central Maseru on Thursday July 5, 
culminating in delivery of a protest letter to the office of the 
Prime Minister located at the Qhobosheaneng Government Complex 
off Kingsway Avenue in downtown Maseru. 
 
-  Some opposition figures have indicated that marchers plan a 
"sit-in" at the Government Complex unless authorities address 
their grievances related to allegations of extrajudicial 
detention and mistreatment of opposition supporters (septel). 
Some opposition figures have also called on local transportation 
companies to ferry supporters to the march and to decline 
transportation for regular commuters going to and from their 
workplaces. 
 
-  Presently, the exact march route and the expected number of 
participants are unknown. 
 
- Senior GOL officials have told diplomats that they will not 
permit the march and will take steps to prevent it if the 
political opposition proceeds as announced (septel).  It is 
unclear whether march organizers will hold the event in the 
absence of official authorization. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Embassy Maseru's EAC concluded that the mission's 
current security posture, enhanced during a recent GOL-imposed 
curfew, is appropriate to address current conditions.  Charge 
has apprised RSO (resident in Gaborone) of developments related 
to the march.  EAC members concurred that no EAP tripwires had 
been crossed at the present time, but agreed that the potential 
for increased security concerns could arise if the march and/or 
sit-in occur, if transportation services are curtailed, and/or 
if GOL authorities take physical measures to prevent the march 
and sit-in. 
 
¶4. (SBU) In light of the specific information currently 
available to post on the upcoming march, and the likelihood that 
detailed communication with all employees during the July 4 
holiday will not be practical, the EAC decided to take the 
following actions: 
 
--issue a security notice on July 3 to mission personnel 
regarding the potential for a protest march and disruption of 
transportation on July 5; 
--in the absence of further developments, plan to open the U.S. 
Mission for business on July 5, but offer liberal leave to 
employees in the event of disturbances or difficulty commuting; 
--proceed as planned with an official Independence Day reception 
at 12:00 noon on July 4 at the Lesotho Sun Hotel (270 invited 
guests); 
--issue a warden message on July 3 to U.S. citizens based on the 
mission security notice; 
--Peace Corps will review and adjust planned meetings and 
movements of volunteers and trainees scheduled for July 5-6; 
--review emergency food and water supplies at chancery and 
alternative command posts; 
--conduct a test of the emergency radio network on the morning 
of July 5. 
 
¶5. (U) Post communication is normal at present. An IVG outage on 
July 1-3 was corrected on July 3.  Local PTT, including landline 
and cellular networks, are functioning.  The Embassy switchboard 
number is (+266) 22-312-666.  Duty Officer phone is (+266) 5888 
¶4035.  Principal point of contact for security matters is Wendy 
 
MASERU 00000386  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Kahler, Acting Post Security Officer, who can be reached via the 
duty officer after hours. 
MURPHY