Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU424
2007-07-19 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

LESOTHO: SPEAKER PROGRAM EVALUATION - MR. ROBERT SMOLIK,

Tags:  OIIP KDEM KCOR ECON LT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7026
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0424/01 2001055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191055Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3175
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0017
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3561
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000424 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR AF/S, IIP; PARIS FOR LINDA COWHER AND MARION SALVANET;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KDEM KCOR ECON LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: SPEAKER PROGRAM EVALUATION - MR. ROBERT SMOLIK,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REF: LINDA COWHER E-MAIL (5/21/07)

MASERU 00000424 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000424

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR AF/S, IIP; PARIS FOR LINDA COWHER AND MARION SALVANET;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KDEM KCOR ECON LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: SPEAKER PROGRAM EVALUATION - MR. ROBERT SMOLIK,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REF: LINDA COWHER E-MAIL (5/21/07)

MASERU 00000424 001.2 OF 002



1. SUMMARY: From July 13-17, Embassy Maseru hosted
international speaker Mr. Robert Smolik, currently the State
Department's Diplomat in Residence at the Gerald R. Ford School
of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Mr. Smolik's
presentations on democracy, good governance, and anti-corruption
came at a timely point in Lesotho's history when political
turbulence has forced many Basotho to delve into these issues.
Although Mr. Smolik's busy travel schedule could only
accommodate one and a half program days in Maseru, post assesses
that he had a great impact on those he addressed. Particularly
valuable sessions included his presentation to a conference put
together by the local NGO "Transformation Resource Center" and a
lively discussion session brought together by Lesotho's
Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses. We rate Mr.
Smolik's program highly and recommend him for future speaking
engagements. END SUMMARY.


2. Below is Embassy Maseru's official review of Mr. Robert
Smolik's program.


A. NAME OF SPEAKER AND DATE OF PROGRAM

Mr. Robert Smolik, an FSO currently serving as a Diplomat in
Residence at the University of Michigan, conducted a program on
democracy, and good governance, and anti-corruption in Maseru,
Lesotho, on July 13-17, 2007.


B. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TOPICS, VENUES, AND AUDIENCES ADDRESSED

Embassy Maseru's Public Affairs Section (PAS) arranged three
major speaking engagements (and two media appearances, see
below) for Mr. Smolik during his 1.5 programming days in Maseru.
PAS successfully partnered with three local institutions to
allow Mr. Smolik access to Lesotho's civil society, economic
development planners, and anti-corruption law enforcement
personnel. His presentations brought to Lesotho a global
perspective on democracy, good governance, economic development,
and anti-corruption strategies. He gave presentations at:

-- The National Convention Center, hosted by the Transformation
Resource Center (audience: civil society groups, political

parties, faith-based organizations, the Independent Electoral
Commission)
-- The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC)
Boardroom, hosted by the LNDC (audience: LNDC staff members)
-- Lehakoe Club, hosted by the Directorate on Corruption and
Economic Offenses (DCEO) (audience: members of the Lesotho
Mounted Police Force's Child Protection Unit, Lesotho Revenue
Authority agents, Police Complaints Commission representatives,
police Anti-Corruption Unit officers, and DCEO staff members)


C. AUDIENCE SIZE

Mr. Smolik directly addressed 300-400 individuals, and reached
many more through mass media outreach (see below). General
audience numbers were as anticipated or greater. The
Transformation Resource Center event packed a large room at
Lesotho's National Convention Center to capacity.


D. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPEAKER IN COMMUNICATION OF INTENDED
MESSAGES TO TARGET AUDIENCE

Mr. Smolik's participation in the Transformation Resource
Center's "State of Democracy in Lesotho" forum was well
received, and he fielded a great number of questions from the
audience. Mr. Smolik stood his ground during a healthy debate
with a professor from Lesotho's National University who was a
fellow speaker at the event. When asked difficult questions
about the situation in Zimbabwe and the use of U.S. military
force, Mr. Smolik responded well. His experience working with
the OECD's anti-corruption mechanisms came in handy at the
Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses event, and he
was able to offer concrete suggestions regarding steps Lesotho
could take to confront graft.


E. QUALITY OF IIP SUPPORT

Embassy Maseru is greatly appreciative of ARS Paris's support
during the entirety of this program. The lines of communication
between our post and Linda Cower were open and effective. As a
small "PD-light" post with limited resources, Embassy Maseru is
delighted to have been offered this opportunity. We were in
frequent communication with Linda Cower and Marion Salvanet
regarding Mr. Smolik's schedule, and appreciated their
arrangement of a pre-departure briefing for Mr. Smolik.


F. IMMEDIATE RESULTS/IMPACT


MASERU 00000424 002.2 OF 002


While highlighting the importance of good governance, Mr.
Smolik's presentations directly addressed two of Embassy
Maseru's Mission Performance Plan goals: 1) democratic practices
and systems; and 2) economic growth and development. This
program fulfilled a number of current post objectives,
including: 1) sharing good governance expertise at a time when
Lesotho is experiencing political turbulence; 2) sharing
economic development strategies gained from the experiences of
other countries; and 3) sharing anti-corruption strategies
tested in the United States and other nations. Mr. Smolik
reached out a diverse group of individuals and organizations,
all of whom have a vested interest in the future of democracy,
good governance, and economic development in Lesotho. He
emphasized the necessity of including all sectors of society in
efforts to build a good democracy, as well as the importance of
cooperative work between NGO's, religious groups, public service
providers, government departments, and ordinary citizens.


G. PRESS PLACEMENT REPORTING

Embassy Maseru arranged an interview with Mr. Smolik on Ultimate
FM, a youth-oriented government-owned radio station. The
interview was broadcast live on Monday, July 16. Embassy Maseru
also arranged an interview with Mr. Smolik on Lesotho Television
(LTV),the nation's sole domestic television station. We
estimate the viewership of LTV at approximately 30,000.
ANDERSON