Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU287
2007-05-21 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: AMBASSADOR RAISES ZIMBABWE DURING FAREWELL CALLS
how-toVZCZCXRO1522 OO RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHMR #0287 1411515 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O R 211515Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2966 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0023 RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3331
C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000287
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S; ADDIS FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM ZI LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: AMBASSADOR RAISES ZIMBABWE DURING FAREWELL CALLS
REF: (A) MASERU 215 (B) MASERU 185 AND PREVIOUS (C) HILL/PERRY E-MAIL DTD 05/05/07
CLASSIFIED BY: JUNE CARTER PERRY, AMBASSADOR, EXEC, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000287
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S; ADDIS FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM ZI LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: AMBASSADOR RAISES ZIMBABWE DURING FAREWELL CALLS
REF: (A) MASERU 215 (B) MASERU 185 AND PREVIOUS (C) HILL/PERRY E-MAIL DTD 05/05/07
CLASSIFIED BY: JUNE CARTER PERRY, AMBASSADOR, EXEC, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (SBU) In support of ref C strategy, Ambassador raised
Zimbabwe issue with Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister
on May 11. She reviewed key points also with King Letsie III on
May 16.
2. (C) The Government of Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
reiterated that the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) had decided to select President Mbeki to speak on behalf
of the region as envoys from individual countries (including
SADC Chair, Lesotho) had been rebuffed.
3. (C) The King talked about the economic difficulties Zimbabwe
was facing under the current regime. He said there could be no
electoral freedom at this rate; he though the situation was
shameful for the continent as a whole. He put forth the view
that only Mbeki, with continued pressure also from the
international community and non-governmental organizations,
would be effective.
4. (C) Comment: Post has raised the major points at the
highest levels, as well as with the appropriate MFA office. It
appears that the SADC Chair feels strongly that Zimbabwe's
leader will now only speak with the South African leader. End
Comment.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S; ADDIS FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/21/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM ZI LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: AMBASSADOR RAISES ZIMBABWE DURING FAREWELL CALLS
REF: (A) MASERU 215 (B) MASERU 185 AND PREVIOUS (C) HILL/PERRY E-MAIL DTD 05/05/07
CLASSIFIED BY: JUNE CARTER PERRY, AMBASSADOR, EXEC, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (SBU) In support of ref C strategy, Ambassador raised
Zimbabwe issue with Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister
on May 11. She reviewed key points also with King Letsie III on
May 16.
2. (C) The Government of Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
reiterated that the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) had decided to select President Mbeki to speak on behalf
of the region as envoys from individual countries (including
SADC Chair, Lesotho) had been rebuffed.
3. (C) The King talked about the economic difficulties Zimbabwe
was facing under the current regime. He said there could be no
electoral freedom at this rate; he though the situation was
shameful for the continent as a whole. He put forth the view
that only Mbeki, with continued pressure also from the
international community and non-governmental organizations,
would be effective.
4. (C) Comment: Post has raised the major points at the
highest levels, as well as with the appropriate MFA office. It
appears that the SADC Chair feels strongly that Zimbabwe's
leader will now only speak with the South African leader. End
Comment.
MURPHY