S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000545

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR AF/S - DAN MOZENA AND INR - J. SWANN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PTER LY CH LT
SUBJECT: ALLEGED LIBYAN INVOLVEMENT, PARLIMENTARIAN CHANGES: FOREIGN
MINISTER'S VIEWS

REF: (A) MASERU 538 (B) MASERU 514 (C) MASERU 269

MASERU 00000545 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)



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Libyan Connections?
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1. (S) In an expansive October 26 discussion with Ambassador
(accompanied by PDEP Chris Smith, notetaker), Foreign Minister
Moleleki again expounded on themes alluded to with Ambassador
throughout the year, notably the role of Libya and
"manipulation" of the GOL political system. Moleleki accused
former Minister of Communication Tom Thabane of receiving funds
from Libya and Taiwan to finance his operations, particularly in
convincing 17 members of Parliament to join his new political
party (ABC). This is one of several occasions in which Moleleki
has become very emotive in expressing his disdain for Thabane.
The reason, according to FOMIN, behind Thabane's actions is to
"open the flood gates to Islam." As has been previously
reported, the Libyan Envoy had told the U.S. Ambassador that he
has been waiting three (3) years for a response from the GOL to
his request that he open a large Islamic school and cultural
center in Lesotho. Moleleki stated that the GOL was not going
to give this permission and he reiterated his deep concerns
about the terrorist activity carried out by Islamic groups
around the world. On numerous occasions he has pointed out to
us that Lesotho wants nothing to do with the potential presence
of groups such as Al Qaida in this country.

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"Buying" Opposition Support
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2. (C) Moleleki went on to accuse Thabane of buying the
"crossover" of Parliamentarians from other parties, including
the ruling LCD, to join him. He alleged that Thabane has set up
stands around Maseru to sign up supporters to whom he then gives

money. He suggested that we have local staff walk up to one of
these stands and observe what is happening. (Comment: Post has
not done so thus far, but we will certainly keep our eyes open
for any unusual activity by Thabane adherents in this regard.
We also keep in mind the fact that the FOMIN has repeatedly
accused Thabane of being the main force behind his attempted
assassination in January 2006. Therefore, his statements about
the former Minister of Communication are subject to careful
scrutiny. End Comment.)

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Taiwan's Alleged Role
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3. (C) Moleleki's accusations concerning cash handouts to
Thabane by the Taiwanese was presented as an attempt to have
Lesotho recognize Taiwan rather than the PRC as the legitimate
representative of Lesotho. During the recent Chinese National
Day, Moleleki spoke about Lesotho's recognition of the "one
China policy." The October 26 allegation was the first we had
heard that the Taiwanese Government may be involved in trying to
"buy" representation in Lesotho.

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Unorthodox Behavior and Various
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4. (C) In addition to the above allegations, the Foreign
Minister accused Thabane of surrounding himself with former
military figures. Earlier this year, he indicated his belief
that former military renegades were part of Thabane's plot to
have him killed. Despite what is said to be about USD 500,000
in Thabane's bank account in South Africa to buy support,
Moleleki asserted that the LCD continued to have support from
smaller political parties and that there was, at this moment, no
real threat to the party in power (the LCD). Among the ruling
party individuals from whom Thabane is receiving support in the
military, claimed Moleleki, is the Commissioner of Police.
Furthermore, during this rather lengthy monologue, Moleleki said
that former Minister Thabane is "surrounding himself with scum"
and "is moving towards the edge of the law with regards to money
laundering." We, in the midst of this monologue, did concur
that it was important to fight terrorism at all levels and
Lesotho's support on this issue was appreciated, as well as its
ongoing effort to combat money laundering, which posed a threat
not only to Lesotho, but worldwide. (We have, and continue, to
expect to provide training and support in this area.) At the

MASERU 00000545 002.2 OF 002


end of this discussion, Minister Moleleki added that Thabane was
not the only "criminal" among the ranks of Lesotho's
politicians, but that BNP opposition leader, General Lekhanyana
had "killed" one member of his own party. While Moleleki did
not articulate this, we assumed he was referring to the
assassination earlier this year of Mr. Bereng Sekhonyana, a BNP
member who was gunned down about a mile from the Embassy (Ref C).


5. (C) In addition to his tirade against Tom Thabane, Minister
Moleleki did intersperse several items of interest including the
fact that he will be going to China on or about November 1 for
the China/Africa Summit and that he would continue visiting
other places in China, open Lesotho's Mission in Tokyo, travel
through Canada and possibly to the U.S. where one of his
daughters, he hopes, will be able to visit an aunt resident in
the midwest. The Minister was advised that there is a visa
application procedure and consular officers would brief the MFA
Consular Office on the process and regulations.

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Comment
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6. (C) Moleleki, as always, cut a colorful figure as is his
wont -- in public and private. His role in the ruling LCD is a
tenuous one given his 2005/2006 internal party conflicts with
the Prime Minister. These resulted since the Foreign Minister
is seen as a charismatic figure by many voters, is the editor of
the party's newsletter and also handles the LCD Youth League;
therefore, he has often been seen as a threat himself to the
PM's position. What we found interesting in this discussion was
his strong belief that the LCD could withstand additional floor
crossing by members of Parliament because of what he called
clear evidence of Thabane's "criminal activities." He repeated
this allegation several times indicating that the LCD has
concrete evidence to this effect. In our conversation with
other members of the diplomatic corps, it has been their take
that an upset of the LCD is unlikely given that several of the
small opposition party members are in fact "plants" of the LCD.
These individuals are believed to be loyal supporters of the LCD
despite their seats in Parliament under different political
party labels. The FOMIN also intimated that the GOL might
pursue legal action against Thabane. The comment about Libya's
financing of former Minister Thabane has been a recurring theme
from Moleleki for some time. The Libyan Envoy told Ambassador
two (2) weeks ago that he planned to leave Lesotho and end his
assignment here by January 2007. It had been previously
observed that ongoing dissention between the Libyan Ambassador
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was no secret. The
Taiwanese allegation, however, is something we have not heard
generally discussed. We have observed that the PRC and Taiwan
seem to cooperate in the textile industry in Lesotho. As the
Parliament session continues until December, we will regularly
pulse the sentiment of various party members, opinion makers and
government officials. End Comment.
PERRY