VZCZCXRO0374
OO RUEHMR
DE RUEHMR #0169 0791603
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 201603Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2784
INFO RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3135
UNCLAS MASERU 000169
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR ISN, IO, NEA, AND AF
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP IR LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: IRANIAN COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1737
REF: STATE 23001; MASERU 149
1. (U) DCM spoke on March 15 with MFA Acting Principal Secretary
Thabang Lekhela to express USG views on the IAEA's report on
Iranian compliance with UNSCR 1737 and next steps (Note: Due to
ongoing post-election issues in Lesotho, Lekhela was unavailable
prior to March 15 to discuss UN issues. The Ambassador
discussed the Iran issue briefly with FM Tsekoa on March 14, ref
B. End Note.)
2. (SBU) Lekhela said that as a "tiny" country, Lesotho is
totally against proliferation of all weapons, especially nuclear
arms. He noted that Lesotho supports "any means" to stop Iran's
nuclear pursuits, adding that the GOL was discussing internally
the possibility of a statement or other measures to support
current efforts within the UN on this issue. Lekhela observed
that Iran has proclaimed publicly that it is willing to
negotiate on this issue, but "everything the Iranian government
does in practice contradicts this public claim."
3. (SBU) Comment: Although Lehkela echoed similar sentiments of
other senior GOL officials on proliferation (ref B), Lesotho is
unlikely to support any effort beyond quiet diplomatic
negotiations in dealing with Iran on UNSCR 1737 compliance. End
Comment.
PERRY