Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MASERU199
2008-07-02 15:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SUSPENDS STRIKE
how-toVZCZCXRO8280 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0199 1841509 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O P 021509Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3751 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4170
UNCLAS MASERU 000199
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SUSPENDS STRIKE
REF: MASERU 196 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS MASERU 000199
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SUSPENDS STRIKE
REF: MASERU 196 AND PREVIOUS
1. On July 2, the Maseru Region Transport Association (MRTA)
suspended their strike action during a continuing dialogue with
the GOL regarding their use of government-owned buses for public
transportation (reftel). Traffic returned to a semblance of
normalcy on the streets of Maseru, and most businesses opened on
schedule. The current round of talks, which have thus far not
led to concrete progress, are mediated by the Christian Council
of Lesotho (CCL),the Transformation Resource Center (TRC),
Action Aide(AA),and Development for Peace Education (DPE).
According to NGO sources, the meeting between the taxi
association and the Ministry of Works and Public Transport was
focused solely on technical issues surrounding the appointment
of an independent mediator to resolve the dispute.
2. COMMENT: Normality appeared to return to Maseru on July 2.
Ongoing talks were bogged down by technical issues before the
GOL interlocutors left to attend a memorial service for the wife
of Lesotho's former Prime Minister. However, as the taxi
association suspended their strike, their negotiating hand
appears weakened, and the GOL loses little in allowing the talks
to be bogged down in petty details. It remains unclear whether
the unresolved issues between the taxi association and the GOL
will result in further protest action. END COMMENT.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR AF/S, DS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ASEC LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION SUSPENDS STRIKE
REF: MASERU 196 AND PREVIOUS
1. On July 2, the Maseru Region Transport Association (MRTA)
suspended their strike action during a continuing dialogue with
the GOL regarding their use of government-owned buses for public
transportation (reftel). Traffic returned to a semblance of
normalcy on the streets of Maseru, and most businesses opened on
schedule. The current round of talks, which have thus far not
led to concrete progress, are mediated by the Christian Council
of Lesotho (CCL),the Transformation Resource Center (TRC),
Action Aide(AA),and Development for Peace Education (DPE).
According to NGO sources, the meeting between the taxi
association and the Ministry of Works and Public Transport was
focused solely on technical issues surrounding the appointment
of an independent mediator to resolve the dispute.
2. COMMENT: Normality appeared to return to Maseru on July 2.
Ongoing talks were bogged down by technical issues before the
GOL interlocutors left to attend a memorial service for the wife
of Lesotho's former Prime Minister. However, as the taxi
association suspended their strike, their negotiating hand
appears weakened, and the GOL loses little in allowing the talks
to be bogged down in petty details. It remains unclear whether
the unresolved issues between the taxi association and the GOL
will result in further protest action. END COMMENT.
NOLAN