US embassy cable - 05MASERU327

UNCLAS MASERU 000327 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR AF/S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, LT, UNSC, UN 
SUBJECT: LESOTHO'S POSITION ON THE AFRICAN UNION AND UN REFORM 
 
REF: (A)  STATE 119897  (B) MASERU 311 (NOTAL) 
 
1.  (SBU) Ambassador delivered Ref (A) points concerning UN 
Security Council Reform with Lesotho's Minister of Foreign 
Affairs June 29.  MFA stated the GOL was very comfortable with 
the U.S. position and stated they particularly recognized the 
approach the U.S. was taking in regards to establishing criteria 
for new permanent members and also appreciated our consideration 
of supporting 2 or 3 additional non-permanent seats.  Concerning 
a final African position, the Minister indicated that the GOL 
would not reach one until after full discussion during the AU 
Summit; he thought there would be a common African position at 
that time.  He added that for the present, his government was 
supporting Option 1 as considered by African states, namely, to 
have 2 nations on the UNSC.  Regarding the G-4 position, the GOL 
wished to study that further and advised that, to their 
knowledge, only one African state (reportedly Madagascar) had, 
to date, come out in favor of the G-4 position.  MFA thought 7 
or 8 African countries would be competing for Security Council 
seats. 
 
2.  (SBU) Based on todays discussion and previous Ref (B) notal, 
we expect no firm statements right away.  It appears final, 
fully vetted positions will await conclusion of the AU Summit. 
 
PERRY