VZCZCXRO4841
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0190 1791102
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271102Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3742
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4161

UNCLAS MASERU 000190 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AF/S, AF/EX, D, P, M, 
INR, CA, GABORONE FOR RSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PGOV CASC LT
SUBJECT: EAC CONVENES IN ANTICIPATION OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE 
 
REF: MASERU 188; MASERU 185 AND PREVIOUS 
 
¶1.  (U) Charge d'Affaires, a.i. convened the EAC on June 27 to 
review U.S. Mission Maseru's security posture and contingency 
planning in anticipation of a nationwide, four-day 
transportation strike that organizers plan to commence on Monday 
June 30 (reftels).  Representatives of all agencies and Embassy 
sections were in attendance, including MO/PSO, PD/Econ/Pol, GSO, 
IMO, CONS, MCC, CDC, PEPFAR, and Peace Corps. 
 
¶2.  (U) EAC members reviewed the public posture of the Maseru 
Region Transport Association, as well as private views by taxi 
association leaders and GOL officials (reftels).  EAC members 
took note in particular of the following recent developments: 
opposition parties and merchant associations have endorsed the 
strike plan; dialogue and mediation efforts have reportedly 
failed to reach a solution; the Transport Association, as of 
June 27 on the eve of the weekend, stood firm in its plans to 
strike; and various transportation leaders have stated that they 
are not responsible for the actions of all taxi operators, a 
rather sinister acknowledgement of a history of violence and 
intimidation associated with taxi strikes and work stoppages 
(known locally as "stay-aways"). 
 
¶3.  (SBU) EAC members assessed that the planned strike could 
severely disrupt local transportation and commerce, posing 
challenges to normal U.S. Mission operations.  EAC members also 
agreed that while last-minute dialogue could resolve the ongoing 
dispute, the strike appears likely to commence as planned on 
June 30 and there is a potential for violence and/or conflict 
among taxi drivers, bus operators, political party supporters, 
and law enforcement officials. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The EAC reviewed and refined trip wires for a change 
in the mission's current security posture (deemed sufficient) 
and operating status, concluding that broad disruption of 
transportation and/or significant security incidents would 
result in the Embassy reducing staffing on June 30 to essential 
personnel.  Further deterioration in security, an inability of 
the GOL to resolve security concerns, and/or risks posed to the 
circulation of Embassy or private vehicles could lead to a 
stay-in-place order. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) EAC members agreed to implement a variety of 
contingency plans, including the following: 
 
--issuance of security and warden notices; 
--issuance of a management notice detailing staffing, leave, and 
motorpool issues in the event public transportation is severely 
disrupted on June 30 and/or beyond; 
--contact with, and distribution of security guidance to, 
USG-funded contractors currently in-country; 
--postponement of scheduled official visits o/a June 30-July 3, 
pending a post security and political re-assessment on June 30; 
--"topping off" of Embassy and residential supplies of fuel, 
water, MREs, and other supplies. 
(Note: Peace Corps has issued a directive to its volunteers to 
avoid public transportation from June 30 until further notice) 
 
¶6.  (SBU) EAC members concurred that there are no signs of 
threats directed specifically at USG interests or U.S. citizens 
and that existing post security policies and actions taken are 
appropriate given all available information. As of COB June 27, 
Maseru remains quiet and calm, with commerce and transportation 
activity entirely normal.  Embassy personnel will continue to 
monitor the transportation and security situation closely. 
 
MURPHY