VZCZCXRO0845
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0607/01 3240929
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200929Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3447
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3848

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000607 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID PHUM LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO OPPOSITION CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF MCC FUNDING 
 
REF: MASERU 476 
 
MASERU 00000607  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Lesotho's political opposition parties, still 
aggrieved that they were outmaneuvered by the governing LCD 
party during the country's February 2007 national election, 
staged a walk-out in Parliament on November 14 and a protest 
march on November 16, drawing attention in part to their 
standing call for a suspension of foreign assistance.  Claiming 
that the GOL has failed to promote political and economic 
freedom and to respect civil liberties, opposition parties also 
delivered a letter to the U.S. Embassy, reiterating their call 
for a halt to Lesotho's $362.5 million MCC compact.  There is no 
indication, however, that USG policies or assistance, including 
the MCC compact, are genuine targets of the opposition.  In 
fact, opposition leaders have privately apologized to Emboffs 
for their posture.  Instead, the opposition is desperately 
hoping that the international community with sympathize with its 
grievances against the GOL.  The vast majority of Basotho, 
however, realize and highly appreciate direct benefit from 
foreign aid programs, particularly those focused on HIV/AIDS and 
economic development.  End Summary. 
 
Tools of Democracy:  Petition, March, and Boycott 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
-------------- 
 
¶2. (U) On Friday November 16, several thousand supporters of 
Lesotho's political opposition staged a peaceful march 
throughout central Maseru, delivering letters to the Office of 
the Prime Minister and to the U.S. Embassy.  The primary focus 
of the marchers, representing the so-called "Big Five" 
opposition parties (All Basotho Convention-ABC, Alliance of 
Congress Parties-ACP; Basotho National Party-BNP; Marematlou 
Freedom Party-MFP; and the National Independent Party-NIP), was 
a demand that the GOL respond to a July 2007 petition in which 
the opposition alleged human rights violations by security and 
law enforcement officials against opposition members during a 
post-election political impasse. 
 
¶3. (U) In a letter to the U.S. Embassy, signed by ABC deputy 
leader Sello Machakela, the opposition parties called for 
"support to pressurize American Government not focus to China 
more than Lesotho with regard to Textile and Garment Markets" 
(sic), an apparent though uncertain appeal for a continuation of 
Lesotho's preferential access under AGOA to U.S. textile and 
garment markets following the lapse of the Multi-Fiber 
Agreement.  The opposition letter also urged USG "compliance 
with the rules and conditions of Millennium Challenge," 
referring to a July press release in which the opposition 
parties had demanded a halt to all foreign assistance to the 
GOL, including Lesotho's $362.5 million MCC compact, claiming 
that the GOL had violated MCC selection criteria by failing to 
promote political and economic freedom, invest in education and 
health, control corruption, and respect civil liberties 
(reftel). 
 
¶4. (U) On November 14, prior to the march, opposition parties 
boycotted a motion in Parliament, introduced by a GOL-allied 
party, that "applauded the efforts of the U.S. Government and 
its people" for financing development projects in Lesotho, 
including the MCC compact.  Leaders of the opposition alliance 
stated in Parliament that, while they support the MCC compact, 
they are concerned the GOL is withholding details on the 
conditions for maintaining MCC eligibility. 
 
A Peaceful March 
------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) Municipal and security authorities granted the political 
opposition a permit for the November 16 march, which was orderly 
and peaceful, although participation was less robust than 
opposition rallies and demonstrations held earlier in the year. 
The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), which provided extra 
security around the U.S. Embassy's perimeter, restricted 
marchers to a route that passed several hundred meters from the 
Embassy compound.  A delegation of five opposition members 
approached the Embassy gate and presented their "petition" (a 
letter addressed to the Ambassador), which the Post Security 
Officer received. 
 
Comment:  An Opposition Grasping for Straws 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
-------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The political opposition's main bone of contention is 
that it was outmaneuvered in a contest of dueling alliances 
during the February 2007 national election, the results of which 
returned the governing LCD party to power.  The ensuing 
political impasse, which has sparked occasional violence and 
attacks against senior political figures, has centered around an 
unresolved debate over the country's Mixed Member Proportional 
(MPP) parliamentary model.  The impasse, intermittently mediated 
by former Botswana President Masire under the auspices of SADC, 
 
MASERU 00000607  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
has pitted the LCD government, unwilling to yield any power or 
influence to the opposition, primarily against ABC leader Tom 
Thabane, a former GOL minister who is leading fairly fruitless 
efforts to reallocate parliamentary seats. 
 
¶7. (SBU) There is no indication that USG policies or assistance, 
including the MCC compact, are genuine targets of the 
opposition.  In fact, opposition leaders have privately 
apologized to Emboffs for the November 14 walk-out in Parliament 
and reaffirmed their general support for the highly visible 
presence of the United States in Lesotho.  In calling for a 
suspension of foreign aid, the opposition is desperately hoping 
that the international community will sympathize with its 
grievances against the GOL.  Although the opposition raised some 
legitimate concerns over civil liberties during a brief chaotic 
period in June, including a two-week curfew, neither resident 
diplomatic missions nor the general public have responded 
favorably to opposition's position on foreign assistance.  To 
the contrary, the vast majority of Basotho realize, and highly 
appreciate, direct benefit from foreign aid programs, 
particularly those focused on HIV/AIDS and economic development. 
 End Comment. 
NOLAN