LESOTHO: PRELIMINARY 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATION

UNCLAS MASERU 000467 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/PPC: BATTLE , AF/RSA: KELLEY, EPSTEIN AND AMADEO; USUN FOR MCBRIDE; NSC FOR MCDONALD; E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ITRA OVIP UNGA LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: PRELIMINARY 62ND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATION REF: STATE 101170 ¶1. The Government of Lesotho has not yet finalized its delegation for the 62nd UN General Assembly. However, Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Kingdom will be represented by a high-level delegation most likely led by Prime Minister Mosisili. ¶2. Pending the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' final delegation list, post submits the following interim information. A) Head of State Lesotho's Head of State, King Letsie III, is not expected to attend the 62nd UN General Assembly. B) Head of Government -- Name: Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili -- Prime Minister Mosisili is expected to depart Maseru on September 23 and return on September 28. -- Prime Minister Mosisili's wife, `Mathato Mosisili, is expected to travel with the Prime Minister. The GOL refers to the PM's wife as Lesotho's First Lady. -- The Prime Minister does not require interpretation. C) Foreign Minister -- Name: Foreign Minister Mohlabi Tsekoa -- Foreign Minister Tsekoa is expected to depart Maseru on September 23 and return on September 28. -- The Foreign Minister's spouse is not expected to travel with him. -- The Foreign Minister does not require interpretation. D) Other VIPs -- No other government officials or VIPs at the ministerial level or above currently plan to be in attendance. E) Foreign Ministry Official Responsible for International Organizations -- Name: Director for Economic and International Organizations Mr. `Maseabata Pheko -- Mr. Pheko is expected to depart Maseru on September 23 and return on September 28. -- Mr. Pheko's spouse is not expected to travel with him. -- Mr. Pheko does not require interpretation. ¶3. Post will confirm the exact composition of the delegation when it is finalized. MURPHY