EMBASSY MASERU'S MLK DAY EVENT SETS TONE FOR UPCOMING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000037 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KDEM SCUL PREL PGOV LT SUBJECT: EMBASSY MASERU'S MLK DAY EVENT SETS TONE FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS MASERU 00000037 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: On January 17, Embassy Maseru held a lecture/discussion event in commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which one resident Ambassador declared "the best and most intellectually stimulating event I've attended since I've arrived in Lesotho." The MLK Day Commemoration event, featuring lively Basotho speakers addressing contemporary events in the Mountain Kingdom through the lens of Martin Luther King's legacy, prompted a lively discussion in which participants challenged Lesotho's leaders to embrace the ideas of self-improvement, nonviolence, and societal justice. Many of the 120 participants, including high-ranking figures in the GOL and various political parties contesting the upcoming elections, expressed that they left the event with important ideals to consider during this contentious political season. END SUMMARY. -------------- Prominent Panel, Participatory Crowd -------------- ¶2. On January 17, the U.S. Embassy held a well-attended event at Maseru's Lehakoe Club in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Attended by approximately 120 individuals, Ambassador June Carter Perry opened the event with a stirring speech asking the Basotho people to carry Martin Luther King's principles of societal improvement through nonviolence into Lesotho's national elections in February. Panel members included Independent Election Commission Chairman Mr. Leshele Thoahlane, leader of the opposition Basotho African Congress Dr. Khauhelo Raditapole, civil society promoter and university professor Mr. Sehoai Santho, and Senator and youth organizer Mr. Sofonea Shale. ¶3. Attending the event were representatives of a range of political parties (including "All Basotho Convention" (ABC) leader Thomas Thabane),as well the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Natural Resources, the GOL Government Secretary, the acting Governor of the Central Bank, various parliamentarians, several Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, and a judge from Lesotho's High Court. Youth groups, including members of the Youth Federation and National University of Lesotho students, were well represented, as well as youth members of various political parties. Government Secretary Tlohang Sekhamane noted his pleasure that many thorny political issues were dealt with calmly and constructively during the discussion period. During these discussions, Minister of Justice Moses Refiloe Masemene also made extensive comments on behalf of the Government of Lesotho concerning the nation's democratic development. Representatives of Maseru's press corps also attended. -------------- Timely Pre-Election Themes -------------- ¶4. The event's emphasis on democracy, justice, and non-violence was timely in light of the pending elections and Lesotho's recent history of election-related violence. Many of the speeches and follow-on discussion focused on using Rev. Martin Luther King's principles as a means to improve Lesotho, and prevent the nation from repeating the mistakes of the recent past. -------------- Positive Reaction -------------- ¶5. Immediate reaction to the event was highly positive, and engendered thoughtful questions and comments. The session's constructive dialogue about political empowerment issues was the talk of the diplomatic corps dinner the evening of the event, and EU Ambassador to Lesotho Peter Christiansen stated that the event was the best he had attended since his arrival in Lesotho nearly three years ago. Various members of Lesotho's civil society and academia were very complimentary and pleased that various points of views were expressed in an open, interactive forum. As Lesotho has a long news cycle, post looks forward to reviewing accounts of the event in next week's newspapers. -------------- Why did this event succeed? -------------- ¶6. COMMENT: Embassy Maseru's 2006 Martin Luther King Day event was a success for several reasons: 1) the Ambassador's personal involvement and enthusiastic interest; 2) the quality of the panelists and their ability to tie Dr. King's legacy to contemporary events in Lesotho; 3) the high level of interest and participation of the audience; and 4) the open dissent and opposing views expressed by panelists and participants alike, demonstrating the value of free speech and democracy. We feel this event has helped to set the proper tone as Lesotho enters MASERU 00000037 002.2 OF 002 its election season, and we look forward to building on the momentum of this success. END COMMENT. PERRY