US embassy cable - 05MASERU532

UNCLAS MASERU 000532 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR IO; AF/S; AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, PREL, SCUL, LT, UNESCO 
SUBJECT: URGENT DEMARCHE ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE 
 
REF: (A) STATE 192656  (B) STATE 184292  (C) MASERU 506 
 
1.  (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel demarches October 18 and 
19 to Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Sekatle.  As Minister 
for Local Government, Dr. Sekatle was not fully aware of our 
October 7 discussion on the Cultural Diversity Convention with 
Foreign Minister Moleleki (although she had received a briefing 
from the A/PS (MFA). 
 
2.  (SBU) The A/FOMIN understood the key point that instructions 
indicated in Ref C had, apparently, not been received by the 
Lesotho delegation in Paris.  We urged reissuance of 
instructions based on the GOL's stated concurrence with 
postponement.  Dr. Sekatle said she would bring the matter to 
the Prime Minister's attention as the Foreign Minister is 
traveling in Asia. 
 
3.  (SBU) On October 19, we provided MFA and A/FonMin additional 
letter and points seeking public expression of concern during 
the October 20 UNESCO plenary.  Due to A/FonMin's absence 
throughout most of the day, we also engaged Trade Minister Malie 
who understood the need for quick action.  He apprised the A/PS 
- MFA of the need for prompt instructions to Paris.  (Note:  DCM 
spoke with A/PS - MFA who indicated that instructions had been 
delivered to Lesotho's Ambassador Kikine in Paris.  However, the 
A/PS believed the Education Ministry's Principal Secretary, not 
Kikine, had actually cast the vote in UNESCO.  It is unclear 
whether the Education PS actually received the instructions.  We 
have asked at both Ministerial and PS levels that the GOL follow 
up with its delegation today.  We understand Amb. Kikine is now 
in Berlin, but is trying to reach the GOL delegation members in 
Paris to ensure they have received the instruction from capital. 
 
4.  (U) Further responses will be conveyed to Paris and 
Washington as soon as determined. 
 
PERRY