LESOTHO: UNHCR/BELARUS DEMARCHE

UNCLAS MASERU 000273 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, EUR/PGI, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: UNHCR/BELARUS DEMARCHE REF: A) STATE 63345; B) STATE 58054 ¶1. (U) On May 10, poloff delivered reftel demarches to Acting Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs P. P. Makosholo. The Foreign Minister and his top two deputies are currently in Durban, South Africa attending an African Union (AU) meeting and will remain unavailable to receive the demarche directly for at least several days. ¶2. (SBU) Makosholo accepted the assertion that the presence on the UN Human Rights Council of nations with poor human rights records, including Belarus, impugns the credibility of that body. He was, however, noncommittal on Lesotho's position regarding Belarus' candidacy and the bids of Slovenia and Bosnia. Makosholo stated that he would pass U.S. views on directly to the FM as well as to Lesotho's mission to the UN. ¶3. (SBU) Assessment: Embassy Maseru's leadership will continue efforts to deliver this message at an appropriately senior level, including an anticipated opportunity on May 11 with the Acting FM and Prime Minister. Lesotho, however, while supportive in general of efforts to improve global human rights, does not place a high priority on UNHRC matters. Lesotho, the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),is disinclined to deviate from SADC and/or AU collective positions. We will continue to appeal to the GOL to exert a leadership role in its SADC capacity by supporting Slovenia and Bosnia, and encourage the same effort by USUN with GOL representation at the UN. PERRY