Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MASERU196
2008-07-01 15:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: EARLY TAXI STRIKE END POSSIBLE
how-toVZCZCXRO7383 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0196 1831549 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O P 011549Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3748 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4167
UNCLAS MASERU 000196
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: EARLY TAXI STRIKE END POSSIBLE
REF: MASERU 194 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS MASERU 000196
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: EARLY TAXI STRIKE END POSSIBLE
REF: MASERU 194 AND PREVIOUS
1. On July 1, the leadership of the Maseru Region Transport
Association (MRTA) held a press conference at the African
Episcopal Church at which they announced their willingness to
suspend their current strike, originally scheduled to last
through July 3, pending the outcome of a meeting with the GOL
scheduled to take place later in the afternoon. Despite harsh
and insulting language directed at the GOL during the press
event, voices of moderation came to the fore calling for an end
to the protest action. While the strike continued to pose an
obstacle on July 1 for many Basotho on their way to work, Maseru
continued to move back towards normality with more retail stores
and factories resuming their normal operating hours.
2. COMMENT: The MRTA action appears not to be having its
desired effect - increasingly more Basotho are returning to
work, and the GOL is augmenting, not cutting, the routes of its
fleet of buses to ensure citizens' ability to work despite the
will of the taxi association. In this light, it is not
surprising that the MRTA may seek to end its strike, though such
a decision has not been reached by close of business on July 1.
However, even if the strike ends, the fundamental issues which
led to the protest action remain unresolved. END COMMENT.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: EARLY TAXI STRIKE END POSSIBLE
REF: MASERU 194 AND PREVIOUS
1. On July 1, the leadership of the Maseru Region Transport
Association (MRTA) held a press conference at the African
Episcopal Church at which they announced their willingness to
suspend their current strike, originally scheduled to last
through July 3, pending the outcome of a meeting with the GOL
scheduled to take place later in the afternoon. Despite harsh
and insulting language directed at the GOL during the press
event, voices of moderation came to the fore calling for an end
to the protest action. While the strike continued to pose an
obstacle on July 1 for many Basotho on their way to work, Maseru
continued to move back towards normality with more retail stores
and factories resuming their normal operating hours.
2. COMMENT: The MRTA action appears not to be having its
desired effect - increasingly more Basotho are returning to
work, and the GOL is augmenting, not cutting, the routes of its
fleet of buses to ensure citizens' ability to work despite the
will of the taxi association. In this light, it is not
surprising that the MRTA may seek to end its strike, though such
a decision has not been reached by close of business on July 1.
However, even if the strike ends, the fundamental issues which
led to the protest action remain unresolved. END COMMENT.
NOLAN