LESOTHO: DEMARCHES ON HCOC, UN RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS

UNCLAS MASERU 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, ISN/RA (RISA MONGIELLO AND RICHARD NEPHEW),DRL/MLGA (DANIKA WALTERS),ISN/MTR (JOHN PAUL HERRMANN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC KNNP PARM PHUM KSCA ETTC TPSA IR LT SUBJECT: LESOTHO: DEMARCHES ON HCOC, UN RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS REF: A) STATE 35879; B) STATE 40380; C) STATE 29464; D) STATE 34974 ¶1. SUMMARY: On April 21, Poloff met with Europe and Americas Director P. P. Makosholo at Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver demarches on Lesotho's ascension to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Missile Proliferation (HCOC, Ref A),the U.S.-EU sponsored UN Prisoners on Conscience declaration (Ref B),and the implementation of recent UN Security Council Resolutions regarding Iran (Refs C and D). Makosholo promised to again follow up with the MFA's legal office on the longstanding HCOC issue, and noted that the Prisoners of Conscience declaration appears uncontroversial. END SUMMARY. -------------- Hague Code of Conduct, Again -------------- ¶2. On April 21, Poloff met with Europe and Americas Director P.P. Makosholo at Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Poloff delivered Ref A demarche on Lesotho's ascension to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Missile Proliferation (HCOC),noting our longstanding dialogue on the issue with the MFA, including at the ministerial level, since 2002. Makosholo noted that he had not yet studied a May 10 dipnote on the issue. He stated that he would follow up on the matter with the MFA's legal office, and would alert Minister Tsekoa to the issue. -------------- U.S.-EU Prisoners of Conscience Declaration "Seems Uncontroversial" -------------- ¶3. Regarding the U.S.-EU sponsored UN Prisoners on Conscience declaration (Ref B),Makosholo inquired about when the issue would come to a vote and whether it would take place in New York or Geneva. He said that the declaration appeared straightforward and non-controversial as it does not name specific prisoners or their captor nations; however, he noted that the MFA would examine the full text of the document before pledging GOL support. -------------- Lesotho's MFA Not Focused on Iran -------------- ¶4. Regarding Ref C demarche on nuclear technology export prohibitions on Iran, Makosholo commented that as Lesotho is not an exporter of dual use technology or equipment, the MFA has not focused on the issue of UNSCR 1803 implementation. He stated that if such issues arise, however, the MFA would consult with the U.S. Embassy. Regarding Ref D demarche on implementing the travel bans outlined in UNSCR 1737, 1747, and 1803, Makosholo said that the U.S. government should forward the list of designated individuals to the GOL for consideration. He noted that the MFA typically handles such matters by alerting the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as its own consular officials about individuals of concern (there is no formal clearance system). He noted that visitors from the Middle East are "rare." -------------- - Post Will Return to HCOC Issue at Higher Level -------------- - ¶5. COMMENT: There seems to be no genuine opposition to Lesotho's HCOC ascension, only bureaucratic inertia. Regarding the "Prisoners of Conscience" declaration, Lesotho will likely defer to the judgment of their regional peers in the United Nations. Regarding implementation of Iran-related UNSCR resolutions, Lesotho's MFA seems to feel that as Lesotho does not produce or export dual-use equipment, it need not focus on these complex issues. END COMMENT. NOLAN