Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MASERU99
2009-04-16 14:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO'S WORLD BANK AND IMF
how-toVZCZCXRO1574 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0099 1061442 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161442Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4091 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4518
UNCLAS MASERU 000099
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S, EEB/IFD/OMA, EEB/IFD/ODF, AND EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL KV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO'S WORLD BANK AND IMF
APPLICATIONS
UNCLAS MASERU 000099
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S, EEB/IFD/OMA, EEB/IFD/ODF, AND EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL KV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO'S WORLD BANK AND IMF
APPLICATIONS
1. DCM delivered reftel's demarche April 15, 2009, to the
Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Timothy Thahane,
who is also the Governor for the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Lesotho. DCM indicated
that the IMF board has already approved Kosovo's application for
membership and the USG urges GOL to pledge a `yes' vote.
Thahane expressed interest in USG's position and the reasons
behind it, and the DCM responded with the points in reftel.
2. Minister Thahane pointed out that the crucial issue is that
the United Nations has formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign
state and therefore, it will be easier for Lesotho to deal with
matter (DCM did not correct him on this point). He indicated
that he will be leaving for Washington, D.C., on Friday, April
17, and he anticipates that they will be put under a lot
pressure as governors of the IMF and World Bank to vote on this
as they will all be in Washington at the time of the May 5
deadline. The Minister reiterated his confidence that the Kosovo
vote will not be difficult since it was formally recognized by a
multilateral organization. He added that he was looking forward
to the `pink papers' for voting, and noted that supporting the
USG on issues such as Kosovo was not difficult for the GOL,
given the strong, mutually-beneficial relationship that the US
and Lesotho have developed. Thahane made special mention of
Lesotho's $362.6 million MCC compact as evidence of this strong
relationship.
NOLAN
SIPDIS
FOR AF/S, EEB/IFD/OMA, EEB/IFD/ODF, AND EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL KV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO'S WORLD BANK AND IMF
APPLICATIONS
1. DCM delivered reftel's demarche April 15, 2009, to the
Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Timothy Thahane,
who is also the Governor for the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Lesotho. DCM indicated
that the IMF board has already approved Kosovo's application for
membership and the USG urges GOL to pledge a `yes' vote.
Thahane expressed interest in USG's position and the reasons
behind it, and the DCM responded with the points in reftel.
2. Minister Thahane pointed out that the crucial issue is that
the United Nations has formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign
state and therefore, it will be easier for Lesotho to deal with
matter (DCM did not correct him on this point). He indicated
that he will be leaving for Washington, D.C., on Friday, April
17, and he anticipates that they will be put under a lot
pressure as governors of the IMF and World Bank to vote on this
as they will all be in Washington at the time of the May 5
deadline. The Minister reiterated his confidence that the Kosovo
vote will not be difficult since it was formally recognized by a
multilateral organization. He added that he was looking forward
to the `pink papers' for voting, and noted that supporting the
USG on issues such as Kosovo was not difficult for the GOL,
given the strong, mutually-beneficial relationship that the US
and Lesotho have developed. Thahane made special mention of
Lesotho's $362.6 million MCC compact as evidence of this strong
relationship.
NOLAN