LESOTHO: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES

UNCLAS MASERU 000323 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR AF/S - LINDA MUNCY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP KN LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES REF: (A) MASERU 320 (B) STATE 111144 ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador met July 10 with Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs Monyane Moleleki (immediately following the FOMIN's return to Maseru) to ascertain the Government of Lesotho's (GOL) views on the North Korean missile launches and to advise the government of our very strong position that such actions were severe provocations, violated the moratorium on missile launches, and poses a threat to the entire world. (As previously reported, the Minister had been informed of our position per reftel.) We discussed our continuing dialogue with our friends and allies, including the six party participants and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We indicated that we strongly condemned this launch and called upon the DPRK to refrain from further action. We stressed the importance that the international community work together and underlined the seriousness of our efforts to secure a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear and missile issues. ¶2. (SBU) Minister Moleleki agreed strongly with all of the USG points and stated that the DPRK was led by an isolated mad man, that the actions taken by North Korea were most provocative and indeed posed a threat, especially, he noted, to Japan and to South Korea. He also acknowledged that the international community had an obligation to continue their strong diplomatic dialogue with North Korea to reach resolution of this problem. He added that China as well as the rest of North Asia were threatened by the DPRK actions. He concluded by stating that continuation of the six party talks were most important and urged us as well as his fellow members of the international community to strongly support ongoing efforts to restrain North Korea. He concurred that North Korea's political and economical isolation would certainly increase if these provocations did not cease. PERRY