MASERU EAC CONVENES PRIOR TO POSSIBLE JULY 5 PROTEST MARCH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000386

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/ODAC, S/CT, D, P, M, INR,
CA, AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PGOV LT
SUBJECT: MASERU EAC CONVENES PRIOR TO POSSIBLE JULY 5 PROTEST MARCH

REF: MASERU 379

MASERU 00000386 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. convened post EAC on
July 3 to assess the mission's security posture and potential
threats following the July 1 announcement of an unsanctioned
July 5 political opposition protest march and sit-in scheduled
to end at the Prime Minister's office (reftel and septel). EAC
members agreed that there is no information to suggest that USG
interests are the subject of hostile intentions and that no EAP
tripwires had been crossed at present, but concurred with
informing U.S. mission employees and U.S. citizens in Lesotho,
reviewing security measures, and, in light of the Embassy's
closure on July 4, taking preparatory measures in the event of
disturbances or disruption of transportation services on July 5.
EAC characterizes the current political climate as tense. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On July 3, Embassy Maseru's EAC convened to assess
mission's security posture and potential threats following the
July 1 announcement of an unsanctioned July 5 political
opposition protest march scheduled to end at the Prime
Minister's office (reftel and septel). Charge, Peace Corps
Director, Peace Corps APCD, A/MO (acting Post Security Officer),
Consul, P/DEP Officer, HIV/AIDS Coordinator and IMO
participated. The EAC reviewed the following developments:

- Opposition political parties have indicated their intention
to conduct a mass march in central Maseru on Thursday July 5,
culminating in delivery of a protest letter to the office of the
Prime Minister located at the Qhobosheaneng Government Complex
off Kingsway Avenue in downtown Maseru.

- Some opposition figures have indicated that marchers plan a
"sit-in" at the Government Complex unless authorities address
their grievances related to allegations of extrajudicial
detention and mistreatment of opposition supporters (septel).
Some opposition figures have also called on local transportation
companies to ferry supporters to the march and to decline
transportation for regular commuters going to and from their
workplaces.

- Presently, the exact march route and the expected number of
participants are unknown.

- Senior GOL officials have told diplomats that they will not
permit the march and will take steps to prevent it if the
political opposition proceeds as announced (septel). It is
unclear whether march organizers will hold the event in the
absence of official authorization.


3. (SBU) Embassy Maseru's EAC concluded that the mission's
current security posture, enhanced during a recent GOL-imposed
curfew, is appropriate to address current conditions. Charge
has apprised RSO (resident in Gaborone) of developments related
to the march. EAC members concurred that no EAP tripwires had
been crossed at the present time, but agreed that the potential
for increased security concerns could arise if the march and/or
sit-in occur, if transportation services are curtailed, and/or
if GOL authorities take physical measures to prevent the march
and sit-in.


4. (SBU) In light of the specific information currently
available to post on the upcoming march, and the likelihood that
detailed communication with all employees during the July 4
holiday will not be practical, the EAC decided to take the
following actions:

--issue a security notice on July 3 to mission personnel
regarding the potential for a protest march and disruption of
transportation on July 5;
--in the absence of further developments, plan to open the U.S.
Mission for business on July 5, but offer liberal leave to
employees in the event of disturbances or difficulty commuting;
--proceed as planned with an official Independence Day reception
at 12:00 noon on July 4 at the Lesotho Sun Hotel (270 invited
guests);
--issue a warden message on July 3 to U.S. citizens based on the
mission security notice;
--Peace Corps will review and adjust planned meetings and
movements of volunteers and trainees scheduled for July 5-6;
--review emergency food and water supplies at chancery and
alternative command posts;
--conduct a test of the emergency radio network on the morning
of July 5.


5. (U) Post communication is normal at present. An IVG outage on
July 1-3 was corrected on July 3. Local PTT, including landline
and cellular networks, are functioning. The Embassy switchboard
number is (+266) 22-312-666. Duty Officer phone is (+266) 5888

4035. Principal point of contact for security matters is Wendy

MASERU 00000386 002.2 OF 002


Kahler, Acting Post Security Officer, who can be reached via the
duty officer after hours.
MURPHY