MASERU STILL CALM AS TALKS POSTPONED BY ONE DAY

UNCLAS MASERU 000266 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/S, INR/AF, DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PGOV ASEC LT SUBJECT: MASERU STILL CALM AS TALKS POSTPONED BY ONE DAY REF: MASERU 265 ¶1. SUMMARY: The city of Maseru continues to operate on the second day of the strike, with buses, taxis and private vehicles running at a slow start, but close to normal operation by midday. The GOL will meet with opposition party leaders on Wednesday, August 5, to discuss the dispute called by the opposition parties to protest the allocation of proportional representation seats in parliament following the 2007 national election. End Summary. ¶2. The GOL postponed discussions, initially set for Tuesday, to Wednesday in order to find a large enough venue to accommodate all stakeholders. Negotiations between opposition parties and the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) on the disputed proportional representation seats are to be discussed, with the help of Anglican Bishop Phillip Mokuku, who will act as mediator. ¶3. Despite a decrease in Lesotho Mounted Police Service and Lesotho Defense Force presence throughout the city on Tuesday morning, there have been no reported incidents of violence. Some GOL buses are running with escorts, few government vehicles have transported workers, and border traffic is normal. It has been reported that some gas stations have run out of petrol and/or diesel; however, most are operating with adequate amounts of fuel. Unlike Monday, schools have now opened and children are in attendance. ¶4. Rumors abound about the political opposition's next steps if tomorrow's talks do not lead to a reallocation of seats. Among the more credible is a coordinated effort to disrupt the local supply of petrol, perhaps in coordination with South Africa's COSATU, followed by attempts to close the border. Post will try to confirm rumors and will continue to provide updates to the situation as it develops. POWER