EAC CONVENES IN ANTICIPATION OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE

UNCLAS MASERU 000190 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AF/S, AF/EX, D, P, M, INR, CA, GABORONE FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV CASC LT SUBJECT: EAC CONVENES IN ANTICIPATION OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE REF: MASERU 188; MASERU 185 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) Charge d'Affaires, a.i. convened the EAC on June 27 to review U.S. Mission Maseru's security posture and contingency planning in anticipation of a nationwide, four-day transportation strike that organizers plan to commence on Monday June 30 (reftels). Representatives of all agencies and Embassy sections were in attendance, including MO/PSO, PD/Econ/Pol, GSO, IMO, CONS, MCC, CDC, PEPFAR, and Peace Corps. ¶2. (U) EAC members reviewed the public posture of the Maseru Region Transport Association, as well as private views by taxi association leaders and GOL officials (reftels). EAC members took note in particular of the following recent developments: opposition parties and merchant associations have endorsed the strike plan; dialogue and mediation efforts have reportedly failed to reach a solution; the Transport Association, as of June 27 on the eve of the weekend, stood firm in its plans to strike; and various transportation leaders have stated that they are not responsible for the actions of all taxi operators, a rather sinister acknowledgement of a history of violence and intimidation associated with taxi strikes and work stoppages (known locally as "stay-aways"). ¶3. (SBU) EAC members assessed that the planned strike could severely disrupt local transportation and commerce, posing challenges to normal U.S. Mission operations. EAC members also agreed that while last-minute dialogue could resolve the ongoing dispute, the strike appears likely to commence as planned on June 30 and there is a potential for violence and/or conflict among taxi drivers, bus operators, political party supporters, and law enforcement officials. ¶4. (SBU) The EAC reviewed and refined trip wires for a change in the mission's current security posture (deemed sufficient) and operating status, concluding that broad disruption of transportation and/or significant security incidents would result in the Embassy reducing staffing on June 30 to essential personnel. Further deterioration in security, an inability of the GOL to resolve security concerns, and/or risks posed to the circulation of Embassy or private vehicles could lead to a stay-in-place order. ¶5. (SBU) EAC members agreed to implement a variety of contingency plans, including the following: --issuance of security and warden notices; --issuance of a management notice detailing staffing, leave, and motorpool issues in the event public transportation is severely disrupted on June 30 and/or beyond; --contact with, and distribution of security guidance to, USG-funded contractors currently in-country; --postponement of scheduled official visits o/a June 30-July 3, pending a post security and political re-assessment on June 30; --"topping off" of Embassy and residential supplies of fuel, water, MREs, and other supplies. (Note: Peace Corps has issued a directive to its volunteers to avoid public transportation from June 30 until further notice) ¶6. (SBU) EAC members concurred that there are no signs of threats directed specifically at USG interests or U.S. citizens and that existing post security policies and actions taken are appropriate given all available information. As of COB June 27, Maseru remains quiet and calm, with commerce and transportation activity entirely normal. Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the transportation and security situation closely. MURPHY