Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU561
2007-10-10 14:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO INTERESTED IN WIREC, VAGUELY SUPPORTIVE ON UN
how-toVZCZCXRO5692 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHMR #0561/01 2831402 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 101402Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3386 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0089 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0049 RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3785
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000561
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ENEG SENV TRGY UN PHUM KWMN SOCI PTER UNSC
KDEM, PREL, LE, LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO INTERESTED IN WIREC, VAGUELY SUPPORTIVE ON UN
ISSUES
REF: A) STATE 138428; B) STATE 135255; C) STATE 129919; D) STATE 129764; AND E) STATE 107692
THIS IS A RETRANSMISSION OF A MESSAGE SENT ORIGINALLY ON OCTOBER
2, 2007.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000561
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ENEG SENV TRGY UN PHUM KWMN SOCI PTER UNSC
KDEM, PREL, LE, LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO INTERESTED IN WIREC, VAGUELY SUPPORTIVE ON UN
ISSUES
REF: A) STATE 138428; B) STATE 135255; C) STATE 129919; D) STATE 129764; AND E) STATE 107692
THIS IS A RETRANSMISSION OF A MESSAGE SENT ORIGINALLY ON OCTOBER
2, 2007.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 2, Poloff met Lesotho's Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Europe and Americas Director P.P. Makoaholo
to discuss the upcoming WIREC conference and various UN issues.
Makoaholo expressed interest in recruiting a high-level
delegation for the WIREC conference and was vague but supportive
on a variety of UN issues including the U.S. condemnation of the
state use of rape, contributions to the Lebanon Special
Tribunal, supporting Mali's initiatives in the Community of
Democracies, and Felice Gaer's nomination for the Committee
Against Torture. This "feel good vibe" may not result in a good
UN voting pattern for Lesotho, but we'll continue to encourage
GOL support. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Interest in WIREC
--------------
2. (SBU) After Poloff briefed him on the WIREC conference in
Washington in March 2008 (REF A),Makosholo stated that he
believed the GOL would send representatives to the event. He
immediately pointed to Minister of Natural Resources Moleleki as
a possible head of delegation. He stated that he would hand
over information on the event to First Secretary Ms. Pulane
Seshemane (Europe and Americas Desk),who would provide a full
delegation list to the Embassy by October 15.
--------------
Rape Resolution
--------------
3. (SBU) When pressed on the U.S.-authored UN resolution,
"Condemning the Use of Rape as an Instrument of State Policy,"
(REF B) Makosholo stated that "on the face of it, it is
supportable." He concurred that the use of rape as an
instrument of state policy was of great concern, citing events
in Rwanda and Sudan. He stated that such policies "could not be
tolerated," and said that he would contact Lesotho's UN
delegation on the issue.
--------------
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
--------------
4. (SBU) Regarding contributions to the UN Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (REF C),Makosholo stated that the GOL had not yet
received a request for funding from the UN. He stated that such
a request would be considered, and pointed out that Lesotho had
made a modest contribution to the Special Court of Sierra Leone
and would view the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the same
light.
--------------
Mali and the Community of Democracies
--------------
5. (SBU) When asked about the Community of Democracies (CD)
meeting held on the margins of the UN General Assembly on
October 1 (REF D),Makosholo stated that Lesotho did not attend
but did plan to be part of the CD Bamako Ministerial, noting the
nation's attendance at the previous rounds in Seoul and Chile.
He stated that Mali's suggestion to establish a CD Secretariat
"sounded reasonable" and would be reviewed by the MFA.
--------------
The Felice Gaer Candidacy
--------------
6. (SBU) Regarding the candidacy of Felice Gaer for the United
Nations Committee Against Torture (REF E),Makosholo stated
that, given the current high level of cooperation between the
U.S. and Lesotho, he thought that GOL support was forthcoming.
"I haven't heard anything specific, but I think that this one is
taken care of," stated Makosholo. He noted that he would check
with the MFA's Legal Division, as that organization keeps tabs
on UN candidates. He also confirmed that he had received the
U.S. Embassy's diplomatic note detailing Ms. Gaer's
qualifications.
--------------
Open Ears
--------------
7. (SBU) COMMENT: Makosholo repeatedly expressed confidence in
the health of the U.S.-bilateral relationship in the wake of
Prime Minister Mosisili's July visit to Washington to sign a
MASERU 00000561 002 OF 002
compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. We'll see if
this "feel good vibe" results in a good UN voting pattern, but
the MFA's ears seem open to our suggestions. END COMMENT.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ENEG SENV TRGY UN PHUM KWMN SOCI PTER UNSC
KDEM, PREL, LE, LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO INTERESTED IN WIREC, VAGUELY SUPPORTIVE ON UN
ISSUES
REF: A) STATE 138428; B) STATE 135255; C) STATE 129919; D) STATE 129764; AND E) STATE 107692
THIS IS A RETRANSMISSION OF A MESSAGE SENT ORIGINALLY ON OCTOBER
2, 2007.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 2, Poloff met Lesotho's Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Europe and Americas Director P.P. Makoaholo
to discuss the upcoming WIREC conference and various UN issues.
Makoaholo expressed interest in recruiting a high-level
delegation for the WIREC conference and was vague but supportive
on a variety of UN issues including the U.S. condemnation of the
state use of rape, contributions to the Lebanon Special
Tribunal, supporting Mali's initiatives in the Community of
Democracies, and Felice Gaer's nomination for the Committee
Against Torture. This "feel good vibe" may not result in a good
UN voting pattern for Lesotho, but we'll continue to encourage
GOL support. END SUMMARY.
--------------
Interest in WIREC
--------------
2. (SBU) After Poloff briefed him on the WIREC conference in
Washington in March 2008 (REF A),Makosholo stated that he
believed the GOL would send representatives to the event. He
immediately pointed to Minister of Natural Resources Moleleki as
a possible head of delegation. He stated that he would hand
over information on the event to First Secretary Ms. Pulane
Seshemane (Europe and Americas Desk),who would provide a full
delegation list to the Embassy by October 15.
--------------
Rape Resolution
--------------
3. (SBU) When pressed on the U.S.-authored UN resolution,
"Condemning the Use of Rape as an Instrument of State Policy,"
(REF B) Makosholo stated that "on the face of it, it is
supportable." He concurred that the use of rape as an
instrument of state policy was of great concern, citing events
in Rwanda and Sudan. He stated that such policies "could not be
tolerated," and said that he would contact Lesotho's UN
delegation on the issue.
--------------
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
--------------
4. (SBU) Regarding contributions to the UN Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (REF C),Makosholo stated that the GOL had not yet
received a request for funding from the UN. He stated that such
a request would be considered, and pointed out that Lesotho had
made a modest contribution to the Special Court of Sierra Leone
and would view the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the same
light.
--------------
Mali and the Community of Democracies
--------------
5. (SBU) When asked about the Community of Democracies (CD)
meeting held on the margins of the UN General Assembly on
October 1 (REF D),Makosholo stated that Lesotho did not attend
but did plan to be part of the CD Bamako Ministerial, noting the
nation's attendance at the previous rounds in Seoul and Chile.
He stated that Mali's suggestion to establish a CD Secretariat
"sounded reasonable" and would be reviewed by the MFA.
--------------
The Felice Gaer Candidacy
--------------
6. (SBU) Regarding the candidacy of Felice Gaer for the United
Nations Committee Against Torture (REF E),Makosholo stated
that, given the current high level of cooperation between the
U.S. and Lesotho, he thought that GOL support was forthcoming.
"I haven't heard anything specific, but I think that this one is
taken care of," stated Makosholo. He noted that he would check
with the MFA's Legal Division, as that organization keeps tabs
on UN candidates. He also confirmed that he had received the
U.S. Embassy's diplomatic note detailing Ms. Gaer's
qualifications.
--------------
Open Ears
--------------
7. (SBU) COMMENT: Makosholo repeatedly expressed confidence in
the health of the U.S.-bilateral relationship in the wake of
Prime Minister Mosisili's July visit to Washington to sign a
MASERU 00000561 002 OF 002
compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. We'll see if
this "feel good vibe" results in a good UN voting pattern, but
the MFA's ears seem open to our suggestions. END COMMENT.
NOLAN