LESOTHO: EAC CONSIDERS JULY 4 POSTURE, RECENT ATTACKS ON

S E C R E T MASERU 000351 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, S/CT, D, P, M, INR, CA, AF/S; GABORONE FOR RSO E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/15/2017 TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC PREL PGOV LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: EAC CONSIDERS JULY 4 POSTURE, RECENT ATTACKS ON GOL OFFICIALS REF: STATE 82082; MASERU 340 CLASSIFIED BY: Charge d'Affaires a.i. W. Patrick Murphy, CDA a.i., EXEC, DOS. REASON: 1.4 (b),(c),(d) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: Charge d'Affaires convened an EAC meeting on June 15 to assess security policies and potential threats associated with the Embassy's planned official July 4 reception. The EAC also reviewed the mission's general security posture in light of recent attacks on the properties of GOL ministers and a leading opposition figure. EAC members concurred that proposed measures and host government cooperation is adequate for the Independence Day reception. With regard to the recent attacks, EAC members, agreeing that there is no information to suggest that USG interests are the target of any hostile intentions, concluded that no significant changes in post's current heightened security posture are required. EAC members nonetheless agreed to issue a security notice and a warden message to apprise Embassy personnel and local U.S. citizens of the recent attacks and to advise caution and vigilance. Post would characterize the current political and security climate as increasingly tense but relatively stable. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) On Friday June 15, Embassy Maseru's EAC convened to review post's security posture for the mission's planned July 4 reception (ref A) and to review recent developments regarding attacks on GOL ministerial residences (ref b and septel). ¶3. (S) The EAC discussed post plans to host this year's official independence day reception at midday on July 4 at a local hotel in Maseru. EAC members, including visiting A/RSO, concurred that the location offers the best available security arrangement with optimal access control points and cooperative hotel management. EAC members also reviewed the current threat environment and concurred that proposed security measures are sufficient to address the threats that exist in Lesotho. Post security staff members have already liaised with host government police, the Embassy's security contractor, and other security officials and received assurances of adequate cooperation for the event. Post recently activated the warden system to apprise U.S. citizens of the Worldwide Caution. At present, there is no threat information available that would require a Warden Message specific to the planned July 4 event. ¶4. (C) The EAC also reviewed recent information regarding the June 10 and June 14 attacks by armed gunmen on the residences and vehicle of three GOL ministers and the home of the country's leading opposition figure, a former GOL minister (ref B and septel). EAC members, taking note of information that the GOL cabinet met in an emergency session on June 15, concurred that these acts of physical intimidation against senior government and political leaders are a disconcerting factor in the current security environment. The EAC, however, has received no information to suggest that USG interests, to include USG personnel or U.S. citizens, are the target, directly or indirectly, of any hostile intentions. The EAC concluded, therefore, that no significant changes in post's current heightened security posture (which addresses ongoing political uncertainties and the critical crime threat environment) were required. EAC members nonetheless agreed to issue urgently a security notice and a warden message to apprise Embassy personnel and local U.S. citizens of the recent attacks and to advise caution and vigilance. ¶5. (U) Post communication is normal at present. Local PTT, including landline and cellular networks, are functioning. The Embassy switchboard number is (+266) 22 312 666. Duty Officer phone is (+266) 5 888 4035. Principal point of contact for security matters is Wendy Kahler, Acting Post Security Officer, who can be reached on the duty phone after hours. MURPHY