LESOTHO: IRANIAN COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1737

UNCLAS MASERU 000169 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR ISN, IO, NEA, AND AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP IR LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: IRANIAN COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1737 REF: STATE 23001; MASERU 149 ¶1. (U) DCM spoke on March 15 with MFA Acting Principal Secretary Thabang Lekhela to express USG views on the IAEA's report on Iranian compliance with UNSCR 1737 and next steps (Note: Due to ongoing post-election issues in Lesotho, Lekhela was unavailable prior to March 15 to discuss UN issues. The Ambassador discussed the Iran issue briefly with FM Tsekoa on March 14, ref ¶B. End Note.) ¶2. (SBU) Lekhela said that as a "tiny" country, Lesotho is totally against proliferation of all weapons, especially nuclear arms. He noted that Lesotho supports "any means" to stop Iran's nuclear pursuits, adding that the GOL was discussing internally the possibility of a statement or other measures to support current efforts within the UN on this issue. Lekhela observed that Iran has proclaimed publicly that it is willing to negotiate on this issue, but "everything the Iranian government does in practice contradicts this public claim." ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Although Lehkela echoed similar sentiments of other senior GOL officials on proliferation (ref B),Lesotho is unlikely to support any effort beyond quiet diplomatic negotiations in dealing with Iran on UNSCR 1737 compliance. End Comment. PERRY