AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE LEADER OF THE BASOTHOLAND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MASERU 000222

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RANGOON FOR PATRICK MURPHY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM LT
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH THE LEADER OF THE BASOTHOLAND
AFRICAN CONGRESS


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1. Summary: The Ambassador met with the leader of the
Basotholand African Congress (BAC),Dr. Khauhelo Ralitapole, on
Thursday 20 April, 2006. Dr. Ralitapole is also Chairperson of
the Parliamentary HIV/AIDS, a member of the Pan-African
Parliament and Chairperson of the Health Committee of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary
Forum. She is also a former minister of health in the
Basotholand Congress Party (BCP) government before it split and
the current ruling party emerged. Ralitapole was accompanied by
her deputy, Mr. Paanya Phoofolo, a former Government Secretary
and Lesotho Ambassador to the United Nations and China.Their
discussion focused on preparations for the 2007 national
elections, controversy surrounding the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) and issues regarding the fight against the
scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Dr. Ralitapole was critical of
the GOL's policies and actions and warned of significant
unhappiness within the opposition parties. The Ambassador
stressed the need for peaceful, fair elections and the
importance of all stakeholders being able to voice their views,
as well as to participate in the electoral process. She noted
the international community's eagerness to assist with election
preparations to ensure a free and fair process. End Summary

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Lesotho's 2007 national elections
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2. The Ambassador noted that since Lesotho will be taking over
the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) from Botswana in August 2006, many people in the region
are going to be looking at the country's 2007 national
elections with keen interest. She pointed out that as Lesotho's
prominence in the region increases, the stability of the country
becomes more important. She stated that the donor community
will be willing to assist with electoral support to ensure clean
and acceptable elections. The Ambassador stressed that several
SADC member states such as Botswama, Mozambique, Namibia and
Tanzania have held peaceful elections recently and therefore, it
is the interest of the international community and for the
citizens of Lesotho to follow suit.


3. Ralitapole stated that her party was looking forward to the
2007 elections but due to lack of information from the
government, they are in the dark. Dr. Ralitapole said there is
a need for the date of the election to be known as early as
possible. She added that this would be important for opposition
parties to ensure that the government does not catch them off-
guard by announcing the date for snap national elections at the
eleventh hour. (Note: There have been announcements of a May
2007 election date.)


4. She also indicated that rumors which surfaced last year
after local government elections, suggesting that there will be
simultaneous national and local elections in 2007, have created
a lot of anxiety within the opposition parties. The BAC leader
added that the government has failed to clarify this matter. Dr.
Ralitapole stressed that her party would strongly advise against
holding the two elections at the same time because this would
confuse the electorate who still lack sensitization on local
government elections. Raditapole suggested that it is essential
to clarfy the functions and powers which have been
decentralized. She pointed out that there is also a need to
clarify the role of councilors, chiefs and district
administrators. She observed that failure to do this has
already created conflict among the councillors and chiefs.
Responding to the Ambassador's inquiry of whether any of the
SADC countries have held simultaneous local and national
elections, Dr. Ralitapole indicated that none of the SADC member
states have done that and suggested that this would be
unprecedented in the region and therefore, not advisable.


5. Dr. Ralitapole asserted that the ruling party in Lesotho has
chosen to ignore the desires of the people in various policy
measures. She pointed out that there is a growing trend by the
incumbent government to operate in a shrewd manner under the
guise of stability. She added that there is a propensity by "
autocratic democrats " who play on the people's ignorance and
who are not in tune with the mood of the people. She emphasized
that this creates voter apathy.


6. The Ambassador encouraged the BAC leader and her colleagues
to suggest the types of fora, which can facilitate communication
among various stakeholders . Dr. Ralitapole stated that
opposition parties have requested to have regular dialogue with
the Prime Minister but this has not happened. She also indicated
that the state media are used to cover issues concerning the
ruling party only. She added that the Parliamentary Reforms
Committee has suggested that the state media should cover live
debates in parliament and also that the House introduce a weekly
" Prime Minister's Question Time" similar to what occurs in

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the British parliament.


7. Dr. Ralitapole mentioned that election campaign periods
result in misgivings because of alleged incumbent government's
misuse of government vehicles and victimization of private
businessmen who openly support opposition parties. She stressed
that this creates an unequal platform for competition. The
Ambassador indicated that the international community is willing
to provide electoral support and to encourage the government to
have dialogue with the opposition parties; it is up to all
parties to openly express their opinions on electoral
procedures, she added.


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Controversy surrounding the IEC
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8. Dr. Ralitapole claimed that the Prime Minster's decision to
extend the contract of the Chairman of the IEC Leshele Thoahlane
was unconstitutional. She added that the opposition parties and
private law firms have questioned the Attorney General's
interpretation of the law regarding the contract extension. She
expressed concern that some opposition parties are already
threatening to boycott next year's elections as a result of the
PM's decision. Phoofolo stressed that the PM's decision to take
the matter involving the extension of the contract of the IEC
Chairman to the Council of State was done deliberately to ensure
that the PM had the upper hand against the wishes of opposition
parties. He indicated that as members of the Council, the Chief
Justice and another senior judge would not rule against a
decision made by the council if opposition parties took the
matter to the courts of law i.e., not challenge their own
existing decision. This, according to Phoofolo, would not
satisfy the due process of law. He added that appointment of IEC
Chairman and Commissioners should be done in consultation with
opposition parties, not as courtesy as the PM suggested.


9. Dr. Ralitapole noted another issue involving the IEC -- the
fraud charge faced by two officers of the IEC, Khothatso
Ralitsie, Director of Elections and Kotsoane Motsie, Operations
Inspector. (Note:The two officers were accused of collaborating
with two directors of M and K Security Company that guards IEC
facilities. They are accused of making false payments to "
phantom guards " and also exaggerating the number of guards.
The four were released on payment of $ 650.00 bail per person .
End note.) Ralitapole stressed that the two officers should have
been suspended while investigations continued. She pointed out
that the fact that they have such sensitive jobs and continue to
be on the job, tarnishes the image of the IEC.

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Combating the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
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10. Dr. Ralitapole indicated that the role of parliament has
been left out in important government declarations made on HIV/
AIDS issues. She said the SADC Parliamentary Forum had proposed
a meeting to harmonize the involvement of parliamentarians in
these issues across the region. She added that there is a need
to focus on universal access issues such as prevention,
treatment and support. The BAC leader also stated that the
structures of the National AIDS Commission (NAC) need to be
strengthened in order to become fully functional.


11. Dr. Ralitapole cited staffing of clinics and laboratory
facilities as critical problems. The Ambassador noted that the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is expecting a proposal
from GOL on the renovation of clinics across the country and
building of access roads to those clinics. She pointed out that
the MCC would also focus on business development and clean
water supply. The Ambassador concurred that human resource issue
is a major issue across the board. She also advised Ralitapole
that CDC would soon provide lab equipment for the clinics.
Ralitapole indicated that provision of lab equipment would help
immensely. She pointed out that there is a need to improve
facilities in key areas where the anti-retroviral rollout
program has started. The Ambassador concluded by suggesting that
there is a need for a unified approach by various organizations
to coordinate and liaise with NAC.



12. Comment: The issue brought up by opposition parties
regarding the ruling party's misuse of government vehicles and
state media is nothing new. It is unlikely, however, that the
government will stop using the vehicles during the campaign
period because of "tradition" and no attempt by law enforcement
to apply the regulations. The extension of the IEC Chairman's
contract and the IEC's decision to allow Ralitsie and Motsie to

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continue be on active duty may tarnish the image and integrity
of the IEC. This may also contribute to apathy as some
opposition parties have already expressed their lack of
confidence in the IEC and threatened to boycott the 2007
elections. It is too early to gauge what the reaction of
opposition parties will be once the date of elections is
announced.
PERRY