US embassy cable - 05MASERU215

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MASERU 000215 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, LT 
SUBJECT: POSITIONS DON'T CHANGE 
 
REF: MASERU 213 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.   This is one of a series of messages on Lesotho's upcoming 
elections.  The tripartite meeting between the Government of 
Lesotho, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and 24 
political parties took place on April 26 at the Convention 
Center. The convocation was facilitated by the diplomatic corps 
and the donor community.  Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister 
Lehohla, the objectives of the meeting were to support free, 
fair, transparent and secure elections on the published date and 
to ensure inclusion of all stakeholders in advance of April 30 
polling.  The discussion ranged from government's strong support 
for adherence to all objectives to major opposition parties' 
walk-out in protest against postponement. The international 
community provided brief remarks as the DPM adjourned the 
session urging adherence to the schedule and assuring there 
would be peaceful progression of the elections. End Summary. 
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Key Positions Reiterated 
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2.  Following several months' long series of meetings among 
government, political parties, local authorities and the 
diplomatic community, the Deputy Prime Minister agreed (as 
requested by some parties) to convene a large forum of key 
political parties and international donors. Commonwealth 
observers also took part in the forum. In his opening remarks, 
the DPM laid out the history of the GOL's and the IEC's 
discussions with the opposition parties and indicated he 
believed it was now time to move forward.  Opposition leader 
General Lekhanya and others challenged the legality of the GOL's 
proceeding with the first local elections since independence and 
called for postponement. 
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Reasons to Move Ahead 
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3. In response, Minister of Communications Thabane, outlined the 
reasons Lesotho had to continue on the path of democracy. He 
emphasized that "friends around the globe" had been assured that 
the nation would proceed with these elections (already delayed 
since the late 2003 date originally set) and could not afford to 
stall any further. The IEC Chairman stated that the Commission's 
door had been open to all parties and remained open; he asserted 
that the IEC had attempted to respond to all queries from 
stakeholders. He also reminded the participants that of 4,762 
candidates, 2000 were independents. 
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Opposition Walk-Out 
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4.  The Basotho National Party (BNP) and five other major 
opposition political parties objected to the refusal of 
postponement and walked out of the meeting. The Deputy Prime 
Minister declared that other parties deserved to be heard 
despite the six parties' refusal to stay.  Among the smaller 
parties was heard a theme:  the people on the ground want to 
have the elections and move forward.  The Deputy Chairman of the 
Lesotho Education Party pleaded with the GOL leaders 
(represented also by the Minister of Local Government) not to 
deny "freedom" to people in the rural areas. A splinter group of 
the Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP) argued the elections must go 
ahead as did the National Independence Party representative who 
recalled violence of the past (e.g., 1998 disturbances) and 
pressed for adherence to the schedule.  The Popular Front for 
Democracy observed that a pending court case charging 
discrimination against men and calling for postponement would be 
decided on April 27.  That ruling, he contended would determine 
the outcome. 
5.  In a final statement of the ruling Lesotho Congress for 
Democracy's position, Deputy House Speaker Montanyane posited 
that Lesotho had prepared for these elections at length and at a 
cost of 93 million maloti, approx. 13-14 million USD, and 
postponement would cost another 50 million. He also argued that 
delays would set back local elections until 2006, just one year 
before national elections are to take place. 
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International Community's Support 
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6.  The DPM invited the diplomatic corps to make individual 
statements, specifically asking U.S. Ambassador Perry to 
comment.  She responded that as Lesotho pursued its path to 
democracy, the international community encouraged the country to 
pursue free, fair and peaceful elections on April 30 but called 
upon the UNDP Resident Representative (as agreed) to speak for 
the international community as a whole.  ResRep Haji-Mohamud 
repeated the call for transparency and security and pledged the 
international community would continue to play a supportive 
post-elections role. The Deputy Prime Minister adjourned the 
meeting with assurances to donors that the GOL was committed to 
free, fair and peaceful elections and was committed also to both 
security and to uplifting local government, the base upon which 
good governance is built. 
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MASERU 00000215  002 OF 002 
 
 
Comment 
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7.  Comment:  The tripartite session was not disrupted by the 
walkout and achieved the goal of inclusiveness. However, the key 
opposition parties scheduled a press conference for later in the 
day; results are not yet known. The diplomatic/donor community 
has set up a meeting with the rebellious group of seven for late 
April 26 to again press the need for Lesotho to have peaceful, 
democratic elections at this critical time in its social and 
economic development.  End Comment. 
 
 
PERRY