Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MASERU298
2006-06-23 10:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

DAS THOMPSON'S VISIT TO LESOTHO

Tags:  KHIV PREL KDEM SOCI LT 
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PP RUEHDU RUEHJO
DE RUEHMR #0298/01 1741004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 231004Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2123
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2404
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000298 

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

FOR AF/S, AF/EPS AND OGAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV PREL KDEM SOCI LT
SUBJECT: DAS THOMPSON'S VISIT TO LESOTHO


MASERU 00000298 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000298

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

FOR AF/S, AF/EPS AND OGAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV PREL KDEM SOCI LT
SUBJECT: DAS THOMPSON'S VISIT TO LESOTHO


MASERU 00000298 001.2 OF 002



1. Summary: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African
Affairs Carol Thompson visited Maseru June 14-16 following her
attendance at the Second Annual President's Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief Conference in Durban, South Africa. She met with
the First Lady of Lesotho, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Acting
Foreign Minister/Minister of Education, Ministers of Finance,
Trade, Natural Resources, leading members of Parliament, key
partners in health, civil society, leaders of faith based
organizations (FBO's),the media and the business community.
DAS Thompson visited USG-funded health projects in the Maseru
area. Income-generating projects for persons affected by
HIV/AIDS, and Lesotho's central referral hospital. DAS Thompson
commented on Lesotho's excellent example of partnership in the
face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Ambassador Perry took the
opportunity of DAS Thompson's visit to reemphasize to the GOL
our support for its sustained commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS
and the country's advances in democracy and economic growth and
to express our support for peaceful and fair general elections
in 2007. End Summary


2. In her discussions with several Ministers during the
Ambassador's dinner at the CMR, DAS Thompson commended Lesotho
on the leadership of government, especially the Prime Minister
and King, in addressing HIV awareness and actions to combat the
stigma and spread of the epidemic, including openly being
tested. Ms. Thompson and the Ministers discussed the many
challenges facing the Basotho people including a lack of medical
personnel and facilities, the disparity in gender awareness of
HIV and how the government is dealing with HIV within its own
ranks. They addressed Lesotho's role as the next chair of the
Southern African Development Community and the leadership they
hoped to transfer to that body. Lesotho's Millennium Challenge
Account (MCA) proposal was also discussed, with the Ambassador
stressing the importance of the revised proposed Compact being
submitted to the MCC as soon as possible.


3. Ms. Thompson met with leaders of FBOs to discuss their role
in addressing the HIV epidemic. In Lesotho, FBO's have formed a

number of inter-denominational organizations through which they
address common issues such as HIV. They take advantage of the
presence of churches and clergy throughout the country to
counter the sparse infrastructure and general lack of
communication and transport. The clergy are being trained as
first responders with accurate information and lessons of
abstinence and being faithful. Catholic Relief Services, in
partnership with Peace Corps, presented a project to empower
orphans and vulnerable children (OVC's),who now number
approximately 180,000.


4. Ms. Thompson visited Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, the main
public referral hospital in the country and there spoke to
senior government health officials. She was able to observe
first hand the resource and staffing challenges. Hospital
managers noted that the demand for ART is extremely high, taxing
the facilities limited resources, leaving patients (often 100's)
waiting in the cold for the one physician available. Ms.
Thompson visited the site of a USG- funded program to prevent
parent to child transmission.


5. At Sea Point, one of the oldest and scrabble poor
neighborhoods of Maseru, Ms. Thompson met with the First Lady of
Lesotho, Mrs. Mosisili, who supports many community-based
palliative care and orphan and vulnerable children organizations
at an income-generating project benefiting OVC's and HIV
positive Basotho. The Project Director stressed the need for
increased support in order to reach more community residents.


6. Ms. Thompson toured the USG-funded HIV testing and counseling
center of Population Services International (PSI),where she
observed the response by Basotho to government leadership and
U.S. support to the Know Your Status campaign. She spoke at
length with program staff. PSI officials noted that the
organizations's monthly client load (from the 5 such facilities
in Lesotho has grown to nearly 2000. They urged continued
support for VCT centers. DAS Thompson stressed the importance
of such facilities as part of the "ABC" approach to combating
HIV, to which PSI staff responded affirmatively and said they
had emphasized abstinence among youth in urban and rural areas.


7. DAS Thompson also discussed various issues with diverse
groups including:

- The dinner with Ministers, heads of U.S.-based foundations and
private sector members focusing on the U.S.-Lesotho bi-lateral
relationship.

- A lunch with stakeholders in civil society, the diplomatic
corps, the media and health in which she emphasized the U.S.
policy and programs in Lesotho regarding issues such as

MASERU 00000298 002.2 OF 002


HIV/AIDS, democratization, and regional cooperation. Ms.
Thompson noted that the USG currently contributes over $ 7
million annually to help Lesotho fight HIV/AIDS.

- A dinner with health leaders from parliament, civil society
and the private sector that focused on the challenges and
sustainability of the health sector and the private-public,
regional and continental partnerships.


8. Comment: The very busy visit provided an opportunity for
DAS Thompson to see first-hand efforts underway to combat
HIV/AIDS and the daunting challenges that remain. Also, Ms.
Thompson met with a variety of influential Basotho, who greatly
appreciated the chance to discuss issues of mutual concern.
The visit also provided strong confirmation of the USG's keen
interest in Lesotho and commitment to assist the country and its
people on vital matters such as HIV/AIDS, consolidation of
democracy, and economic growth. End Comment

DAS Thompson did not clear this message sent after her departure.
PERRY