VZCZCXRO4167
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0338 3232240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 182240Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3913
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4333

UNCLAS MASERU 000338 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S MATTHEW SHIELDS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM MARR MASS MOPS MCAP LT
SUBJECT: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY TCT TO LESOTHO 
 
REF: MASERU 107 
 
Summary: As part of the endeavor to foster military-to-military 
cooperation between the U.S. and Lesotho armed forces, a Travel 
Contact Team (TCT)  undertook a visit to Lesotho from November 
02 to 05, 2008. The TCT was composed of Colonel Martha McSally, 
Director of Current Operations at USAFRICOM in Stuttgart, 
Germany, and Major David Panzera, Bilateral Affairs Officer, 
Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, 
South Africa. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a two day 
workshop aimed at improving the professional standing of women 
in the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and establish a baseline from 
which policy, regulations and directives can be formulated and 
developed to make improvements in the following area: sexual 
harassment, sexual assault, abuse of power, professional 
relationships and dress and appearance. End Summary. 
 
¶2.      Colonel McSally and Major Panzera's mission began with an 
in-brief with the Ambassador on November 03rd , 2008. The 
current situation in the Lesotho army concerning lack of 
policies and other directives in dealing with women in uniform 
was discussed. (Note: Colonel McSally is the first female combat 
pilot in the U.S. military. End note). Following the meeting, 
they travelled to Makoanyane Military Barracks accompanied by 
PDEP Officer where opening ceremony was officiated by Brigadier 
Thoriso Mareka, Assistant Chief of Staff for Finance and 
Administration. 
 
¶3.      After the opening ceremony, Colonel McSally gave her first 
briefing to ranking officers from Major to Colonel at the 
Makoanyane Military Hospital Seminar Room. There were only three 
female officers but there were several decision making 
Lieutenant Colonels and full colonels. Notably, Colonel 
Malefetsane Maboloka, Director of Logistics,  Colonel 
Mohlahatsa, Deputy Air Wing Commander and Colonel Koenane, 
Director of Medical Services. The briefing which took 
approximately six hours was received very well. The discussion 
focused on lack of written policies and guidance on sexual 
harassment, sexual assault, training, pregnancy and most 
importantly, professionalism. 
 
 
On November 04 2008, the second day of the visit, began with a 
quick tour of the Mejametalana Air Wing base where Colonel 
McSally, Major Panzera and PDEP Officer were shown the LDF 
aircraft. Following the tour, they were taken to an Australian 
made GA-8 Air Van where they were introduced to Lieutenant 
Malefane, the first LDF female pilot. LT Malefane took them on a 
forty-five (45) minute flight over the countryside. After the 
flight, they returned to Makoanyane Barracks to begin briefings 
with a mixed group of male and female troops. The briefings were 
far better than expected and the troops were fully engaged on 
the issues discussed. Day two concluded with a courtesy call on 
the Chief of Staff for Operations, Major General Phatoli 
Lekanyane. MG Lekanyane thanked Colonel McSally for coming to 
Lesotho to discuss the issue of Women in the Military which had 
his and the LDF Commander's backing. Later that evening Colonel 
McSally and Major Panzera attended an Election Night reception 
at the Residence of the Ambassador which was attended by Lesotho 
dignitaries which include, the  Speaker of the National 
Assembly, Cabinet Members, the Diplomatic Corps, judges, 
university students, mass media, captains of industry, heads of 
the security establishment, civil society members and senior 
government officials. 
 
¶4.      Comment: This visit was of paramount importance as some of 
the discussion revealed long standing myths holding up many from 
understanding the importance of how issues relating to women in 
uniform should be addressed. The two day workshop was 
professionally handled and the leadership present realized the 
seriousness of the issues and the desperate need for urgent 
action on their part to get things on paper. This was also 
demonstrated by MG Lekanyane by requesting Colonel McSally to 
send more information on these issues so that they can have a 
better starting point for policy formulation. 
 
¶5.      While there is much to be done, this was a critical first 
step that deserves much follow-on help by the U.S. military. 
With more assistance, this will pave the way for  the LDF to 
become an improved and more professional force.  This kind of 
break-through seminar is just what they needed, and need more of. 
 
NOLAN