The Hague, 19 October 2004

Foreign Minister of Lesotho Visits OPCW Director-General and Announces Progress in National Implementation

On 18 October, 2004, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Honourable Mr Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, visited the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. Foreign Minister Tsekoa and OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, discussed the crucial importance of effective national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention to ensure that the global ban on chemical weapons achieves universal adherence to deter the use or re-emergence of chemical weapons. In their discussions, the invaluable support to be gained from regional organizations, such as the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, in the implementation of multilateral agreements and treaties was underscored.

Foreign Minister Tsekoa reported significant progress in the Convention’s implementation in Lesotho. The national legislation needed to comprehensively detect, pursue, prosecute and punish any breach of the Convention at the national level had received the Parliamentary approval required for the legislation’s adoption.

Foreign Minister Tsekoa assured Director-General Pfirter of Lesotho’s strong commitment to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as its resolve to support the OPCW’s pursuit of the Convention’s universality in Africa.

Ambassador Pfirter commended the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho for the adoption of its national legislation and expressed his appreciation for the support provided by Lesotho to achieve the Convention’s full and effective implementation, in particular through its work as a member of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.