LESOTHO OFFERS SUPPORT FOR ZOELLICK, BUT SEEKS REGIONAL

UNCLAS MASERU 000313 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S DEPT ALSO FOR IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN IBRD LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO OFFERS SUPPORT FOR ZOELLICK, BUT SEEKS REGIONAL CONSENSUS REF: STATE 73691 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. On May 30, Charge spoke with Lesotho's Minister of Finance as well as with the Acting Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs concerning the nomination of SIPDIS Ambassador Robert Zoellick to lead the World Bank. As a result of the nominee's previous visit to the Mountain Kingdom in his capacity as USTR and his work on development issues, including AGOA and the Doha Round, Zoellick is well and favorably known in Lesotho. The GOL's desire to seek regional consensus on the nomination, however, may water down an otherwise likely inclination to publicly and quickly endorse the nomination. END SUMMARY. -------------- Foreign Ministry Enthusiastic, Finance Minister Circumspect -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As the GOL's ministers and principal secretaries are currently at an off-site retreat, Charge spoke with Acting Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs P. P. Makasholo on the morning of May 30 concerning President Bush's nomination of Robert Zoellick as the next World Bank President. Makosholo was highly enthusiastic about the nomination, noting Zoellick's past travel to Lesotho and his contributions to the success of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),from which Lesotho has derived tremendous trade benefit. Calling Zoellick a "friend of Lesotho," he committed to briefing Foreign Minister Tsekoa as soon as possible. During a subsequent conversation SIPDIS with Poloff on May 31, Makosholo stated that he had communicated reftel points and Zoellick's biography to the Foreign Minister. ¶3. (SBU) On the evening of May 30, a more circumspect Minister of Finance Thahane noted during a conversation with Charge that he would need to consult with regional finance ministers on the matter, hinting at the need to form a common regional position. He did not respond directly to Charge's suggestion that Lesotho publicly mention its support for Zoellick's candidacy. As a former World Bank Vice President, Minister Thahane did observe that Zoellick is well and favorably known to Lesotho and has strong credentials for the job. -------------- Lesotho's Natural Support Likely to be Muted -------------- ¶4. (U) COMMENT: Ambassador Zoellick is well and positively known within Lesotho's finance and trade circles for his close collaboration with the Mountain Kingdom during the Doha round of WTO talks and for his support of AGOA. It is possible, however, that local enthusiasm for his nomination could be somewhat softened by the GOL's desire, particularly as current SADC Chair, to seek a regional consensus on the nomination. END COMMENT. MURPHY