GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, SEVERAL

UNCLAS MASERU 000111

SIPDIS

FOR AF/S

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC LT
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, SEVERAL
SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

REF: MASERU 109


1. Following yesterday's attempted assassination of Prime
Minister Pakalitha Mosisili (reftel),the local situation is
calm and quiet, with the city conducting business as usual. The
Prime Minister is attending a sod-turning at a bridge
construction site today in Qacha's Nek, in the far eastern part
of the country. There were rumors that the police would impose
a dusk-to-dawn curfew, but those rumors were unfounded. The
search for the fleeing attackers continued along the border with
South Africa, to the north of Maseru, until nightfall.




2. Ambassador Nolan attended a briefing for heads of diplomatic
missions yesterday, hosted by Acting Foreign Minister Sekatle;
the information he received there is all available from local
press sources, as well. Press reports indicate that between 15
and 30 individuals may have been involved in the attack.
According to the press and the GOL, 4 individuals were killed in
the military response to the attack and the subsequent search
for the attackers; 2 individuals were apprehended in South
Africa when they presented themselves at a medical clinic for
treatment; and an additional 5 individuals are in police
custody. Both press and GOL sources indicate that there are a
Mozambican and a South African among the detainees, with the
press claiming that the attackers were mercenaries. There is no
indication that the military command was involved in this
attack. Press reported that a soldier from the Lesotho Defense
Forces (LDF) was one of the casualties, and the GOL has stated
that 5 LDF soldiers were taken hostage at the military barracks
and forced by the attackers to participate, while they were
stealing the military vehicles and weapons used in the attack.




3. Post will report septel on possible motives for this
assassination attempt.

NOLAN