URGENT DEMARCHE ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE

UNCLAS MASERU 000532

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR IO; AF/S; AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL SCUL LT UNESCO
SUBJECT: URGENT DEMARCHE ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE

REF: (A) STATE 192656 (B) STATE 184292 (C) MASERU 506


1. (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel demarches October 18 and
19 to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Sekatle. As Minister
for Local Government, Dr. Sekatle was not fully aware of our
October 7 discussion on the Cultural Diversity Convention with
Foreign Minister Moleleki (although she had received a briefing
from the A/PS (MFA).


2. (SBU) The A/FOMIN understood the key point that instructions
indicated in Ref C had, apparently, not been received by the
Lesotho delegation in Paris. We urged reissuance of
instructions based on the GOL's stated concurrence with
postponement. Dr. Sekatle said she would bring the matter to
the Prime Minister's attention as the Foreign Minister is
traveling in Asia.


3. (SBU) On October 19, we provided MFA and A/FonMin additional
letter and points seeking public expression of concern during
the October 20 UNESCO plenary. Due to A/FonMin's absence
throughout most of the day, we also engaged Trade Minister Malie
who understood the need for quick action. He apprised the A/PS
- MFA of the need for prompt instructions to Paris. (Note: DCM
spoke with A/PS - MFA who indicated that instructions had been
delivered to Lesotho's Ambassador Kikine in Paris. However, the
A/PS believed the Education Ministry's Principal Secretary, not
Kikine, had actually cast the vote in UNESCO. It is unclear
whether the Education PS actually received the instructions. We
have asked at both Ministerial and PS levels that the GOL follow
up with its delegation today. We understand Amb. Kikine is now
in Berlin, but is trying to reach the GOL delegation members in
Paris to ensure they have received the instruction from capital.


4. (U) Further responses will be conveyed to Paris and
Washington as soon as determined.

PERRY