VZCZCXRO3473
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0104 1121353
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211353Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3633
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4049
UNCLAS MASERU 000104
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, ISN/RA (RISA MONGIELLO AND RICHARD NEPHEW), DRL/MLGA (DANIKA WALTERS), ISN/MTR (JOHN PAUL HERRMANN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MNUC KNNP PARM PHUM KSCA ETTC TPSA IR
LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: DEMARCHES ON HCOC, UN RESOLUTIONS AND DECLARATIONS
REF: A) STATE 35879; B) STATE 40380; C) STATE 29464; D) STATE 34974
1. SUMMARY: On April 21, Poloff met with Europe and Americas
Director P. P. Makosholo at Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to deliver demarches on Lesotho's ascension to the Hague
Code of Conduct Against Missile Proliferation (HCOC, Ref A), the
U.S.-EU sponsored UN Prisoners on Conscience declaration (Ref
B), and the implementation of recent UN Security Council
Resolutions regarding Iran (Refs C and D). Makosholo promised
to again follow up with the MFA's legal office on the
longstanding HCOC issue, and noted that the Prisoners of
Conscience declaration appears uncontroversial. END SUMMARY.
----------------------------
Hague Code of Conduct, Again
----------------------------
2. On April 21, Poloff met with Europe and Americas Director
P.P. Makosholo at Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Poloff
delivered Ref A demarche on Lesotho's ascension to the Hague
Code of Conduct Against Missile Proliferation (HCOC), noting our
longstanding dialogue on the issue with the MFA, including at
the ministerial level, since 2002. Makosholo noted that he had
not yet studied a May 10 dipnote on the issue. He stated that
he would follow up on the matter with the MFA's legal office,
and would alert Minister Tsekoa to the issue.
-----------------------------------
U.S.-EU Prisoners of Conscience
Declaration "Seems Uncontroversial"
-----------------------------------
3. Regarding the U.S.-EU sponsored UN Prisoners on Conscience
declaration (Ref B), Makosholo inquired about when the issue
would come to a vote and whether it would take place in New York
or Geneva. He said that the declaration appeared
straightforward and non-controversial as it does not name
specific prisoners or their captor nations; however, he noted
that the MFA would examine the full text of the document before
pledging GOL support.
---------------------------------
Lesotho's MFA Not Focused on Iran
---------------------------------
4. Regarding Ref C demarche on nuclear technology export
prohibitions on Iran, Makosholo commented that as Lesotho is not
an exporter of dual use technology or equipment, the MFA has not
focused on the issue of UNSCR 1803 implementation. He stated
that if such issues arise, however, the MFA would consult with
the U.S. Embassy. Regarding Ref D demarche on implementing the
travel bans outlined in UNSCR 1737, 1747, and 1803, Makosholo
said that the U.S. government should forward the list of
designated individuals to the GOL for consideration. He noted
that the MFA typically handles such matters by alerting the
Ministry of Home Affairs as well as its own consular officials
about individuals of concern (there is no formal clearance
system). He noted that visitors from the Middle East are "rare."
--------------------------------------------- -
Post Will Return to HCOC Issue at Higher Level
--------------------------------------------- -
5. COMMENT: There seems to be no genuine opposition to
Lesotho's HCOC ascension, only bureaucratic inertia. Regarding
the "Prisoners of Conscience" declaration, Lesotho will likely
defer to the judgment of their regional peers in the United
Nations. Regarding implementation of Iran-related UNSCR
resolutions, Lesotho's MFA seems to feel that as Lesotho does
not produce or export dual-use equipment, it need not focus on
these complex issues. END COMMENT.
NOLAN