Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU37
2007-01-24 07:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

EMBASSY MASERU'S MLK DAY EVENT SETS TONE FOR UPCOMING

Tags:  KPAO KDEM SCUL PREL PGOV LT 
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VZCZCXRO6450
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0037/01 0240720
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240720Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2568
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 2914
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


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.

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Prominent Panel, Participatory Crowd
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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.

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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.

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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