LESOTHO'S POSITION ON THE AFRICAN UNION AND UN REFORM

UNCLAS MASERU 000327

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL LT UNSC UN
SUBJECT: LESOTHO'S POSITION ON THE AFRICAN UNION AND UN REFORM

REF: (A) STATE 119897 (B) MASERU 311 (NOTAL)


1. (SBU) Ambassador delivered Ref (A) points concerning UN
Security Council Reform with Lesotho's Minister of Foreign
Affairs June 29. MFA stated the GOL was very comfortable with
the U.S. position and stated they particularly recognized the
approach the U.S. was taking in regards to establishing criteria
for new permanent members and also appreciated our consideration
of supporting 2 or 3 additional non-permanent seats. Concerning
a final African position, the Minister indicated that the GOL
would not reach one until after full discussion during the AU
Summit; he thought there would be a common African position at
that time. He added that for the present, his government was
supporting Option 1 as considered by African states, namely, to
have 2 nations on the UNSC. Regarding the G-4 position, the GOL
wished to study that further and advised that, to their
knowledge, only one African state (reportedly Madagascar) had,
to date, come out in favor of the G-4 position. MFA thought 7
or 8 African countries would be competing for Security Council
seats.


2. (SBU) Based on todays discussion and previous Ref (B) notal,
we expect no firm statements right away. It appears final,
fully vetted positions will await conclusion of the AU Summit.

PERRY