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