PERSPECTIVE OF IEC CHAIR ON RECENT ATTACKS OF U.S. TARGETS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000107 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF/S; DS/DSS/OSAC AND DS/IP/AF; GABORONE FOR RSO; PRETORIA FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/1/2017 TAGS: ASEC PGOV PTER LT SUBJECT: PERSPECTIVE OF IEC CHAIR ON RECENT ATTACKS OF U.S. TARGETS INCLUDING SECURITY OF CHIEF OF MISSION REF: (A) MASERU 105 (B) MASERU 94 (C) MASERU 93 (D) 06 MASERU 617 AND PREVIOUS CLASSIFIED BY: June Carter Perry, Ambassador, EXEC , STATE. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (S) Following the February 27, 12:30 a.m. grenade and heavy gun shot attack on the residence/office of Partners-In-Health (PIH) staffed by a U.S. citizen (and Canadian spouse) (Ref B), Ambassador received a call from the Independent Electoral Commission Chair (IEC) Thoahlane. With this attack coming just months after the killing of a Dutch volunteer with the U.S.-based Clinton Foundation (Ref D),the IEC Chair had been trying to get in touch with the U.S. Ambassador throughout the day. When we did connect, he said that he saw the bombing as having occurred with the view that certain elements are "harboring plans that are anti-American." He said he was particularly concerned about the safety and security of the American Ambassador. Thoahlane did not want to go into detail on the phone about the instigation behind the two attacks on American organizations and their staff, but he inferred that outside elements might be involved. As we have noted in previous messages, concerns have been expressed by the Government of Lesotho as well as by the South African High Commissioner that there has been a rather consistent flow of South Asian and Middle Eastern individuals through Maseru. ¶2. (S) On February 28, the IEC Chairman called on Ambassador at the Chancery to speak directly about his concerns. Thoahlane found it disturbing that the attacks against U.S.-based organizations active in the anti-AIDS program so needed by Lesotho would be a target twice. (PIH is a subcontractor of the Clinton Foundation.) He felt the characterization of the Deputy Prime Minister of the November attack as purely political needed further analysis. (Comment: Ambassador also met February 28 with the South African High Commissioner prior to the conversation with the IEC Chair. The RSA envoy had telephoned Ambassador the night of February 27. Following up on that call, in a one-on-one discussion, he also dismissed the DPM's view of both the November and February attacks as cursory and lacking in deeper analysis of potential, underlying causes other than seemingly obvious political animosity. End Comment) ¶3. (S) Thoahlane said he feared, in the aftermath and confusion of post-electoral activities, organizations (he specifically pointed to al-Qaida) would use Basotho "front" para-military assailants while the population at large was distracted by potential traffic boycotts and the like. A former Ambassador to the U.S. and recognized serious thinker, Thoahlane said he felt the American community and the Ambassador could be future potential targets. He then alluded to the open borders that surround Lesotho (a point also made by the South African High Commissioner); the vulnerability of the country to outside elements was more profound now due to the lack of rain which allowed individuals to literally walk across dried-up creeks and riverbeds undetected. We indicated our February 27 late evening conversation with the Deputy Prime Minister during which the DPM said to us he saw the grenade explosion and shootings as "just political." The Ambassador told him a close investigation was required and that she intended to take up the matter with the Prime Minister as soon as possible. The DPM agreed that should happen. (Note: In conversations with the Government Secretary, Ambassador was advised that the earliest opportunity to meet would be next week as the PM was meeting with the King and trying to form the new government this week with the swearing-in now scheduled for March 2. End Note.) ¶4. (S) During the discussion with Thoahlane, the IEC Chairman made clear his position (after reviewing the attack site) was that the attackers had hoped to frighten the occupants out of the house and then kill them. (Note: This is his personal view, but has not been substantiated; the investigation continues.) He revealed that the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) Deputy Executive Secretary, the owner of the property where the attack occurred, is his sister (a former Minister) who was badly shaken by the incident. We note that Mrs. Ntsinyi had told us last year that she was happy to rent the residence/office to Partners-in-Health. (She certainly never anticipated such an assault.) Thoahlane indicated he planned to advise the PM of his concern that this situation cast a shadow on Lesotho and portended an indescribable presence willing to use "decoy" Basotho at a delicate time when the country had completed an election. We responded that the negative image, and fear, among U.S. linked health workers would have a chilling effect and it was important that the nation address security matters quickly. I added that we were officially engaged in major health and economic initiatives as well as public/private projects to support Lesotho on its upward trajectory. The Prime Minister had alluded to his hopes for continued movement in these areas while speaking with the U.S. Ambassador at his own swearing-in February 23 (Ref C ). ¶5. (S) Comment: The precautions taken at the CMR include the MASERU 00000107 002 OF 002 presence of the local guard force, described by post security officer (PSO) as simply a "deterrent." Lacking an RSO, PSO is pursuing enhanced police patrols in the area. American citizens have been alerted through Consular/Security warnings of the assault and political developments following the elections. It is difficult to obtain concrete evidence of the IEC Chair's (and the South African High Commissioner's) views, but noteworthy that they both share mutual concerns about the proximate causes of these attacks. Post requests Department's fulfillment of August 2006 commitment to provide resident RSO in order to reinforce safety and security. End Comment. PERRY