GRENADA VISIT OF ROBERT CARHART

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000941 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA VISIT OF ROBERT CARHART REF: BRIDGETOWN 930 Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: INR analyst Robert Carhart arrived in Grenada on June 28, for a one-day orientation visit. With rumors floating around Grenada that the Prime Minister might call elections either in the fall of 2007 or in early 2008, Charge d'Affaires Karen Jo McIsaac and Carhart met with political party officials from the ruling New National Party (NNP) and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). They also met with Grenada's Chief Forestry Official and had lunch with the resident OAS representative. END SUMMARY MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE -------------- ¶2. (U) Charge and Carhart met briefly with Grenada's Chief Forestry Official Allan Joseph to pass on a message from USDA. Charge was asked by Minister for Agriculture Gregory Bowen for help on phyto-sanitary issues so that Grenada might export fruits and vegetables to the United States. Charge passed to Joseph the message from regional USDA Attache Omar Gonzalez, resident in Miami, that the ministry should provide the USDA with specific ideas about required training. ¶3. (U) Joseph responded to Charge's question about conditions at the Mt. Hartman dove sanctuary. He said that the government had been close to signing a memorandum of understanding with the NGO RARE to upgrade the sanctuary with an interpretation center and trails, but that was put on hold when news of a possible deal with Four Seasons arose. At any rate, the entire sanctuary area is fenced, according to Joseph. There is security for the area during the day, but not at night. Joseph added that there is a security system, but he is not sure it works properly. NEW NATIONAL PARTY -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Carhart and Charge met with several members of the NNP Executive Committee, including Tony Joseph, Terry Forrester, and Kennedy Roberts. Discussion centered around the May 15 reorganization of the Cabinet, including the creation of a new Ministry for Economic Development and Planning. The group pointed to the new ministry as the way forward to ensure sustainable development. The GOG has spent the last few years building, and then rebuilding after Hurricanes Ivan and Emily, the infrastructure of roads, clinics, schools, etc. The party is now planning to focus on building strong institutions. One of the NNP's primary goals is to improve education and training. St. George's University has apparently agreed to develop an institute for management training to help prepare Grenada's youth for future jobs. Joseph asked when the U.S. would provide scholarships for the Caribbean. Charge responded that Congresswoman Barbara Lee has proposed legislation to that effect, and we hope that will get through. ¶5. (SBU) The NNP does not have to call elections until early ¶2009. Current party focus is on registering voters and organizing the party in anticipation of the vote. A major effort is underway to communicate NNP accomplishments and proposed program to the people in a coordinated way throughout the year, rather than just before elections. Joseph noted that the NNP has not been very good at public relations and the party hopes to improve. In response to a question, Charge noted that the U.S. does not take sides and that we expect free, fair, and transparent elections. ¶6. (C) The just concluded re-sentencing of the Grenada 13 (ref A) has dominated local discussion. The NNP reps pointed out that Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has called on Grenadians to accept the ruling, though he did say it was a "sad day for Grenada". According to Joseph, Mitchell is out addressing the people about the re-sentencing nearly every night, to ensure the country remains calm. Roberts asked where the U.S. has the bodies of assassinated Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and those killed with him on October 19, 1983. Charge responded that the U.S. does not have the bodies and we have shared what we knew with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Carhart and Charge met with Tillman Thomas, Peter David, and Glynis Roberts of the primary opposition POLITICAL party National Democratic Congress (NDC). Roberts left after about fifteen minutes and the remainder of the meeting was dominated by David. Thomas opened the meeting by requesting information on whether or not Prime Minister Mitchell and Foreign Minister Elvin Nimrod had in fact renounced their U.S. citizenship. Thomas said he had recently heard that they had not, though they claimed they had. Charge explained that they would have to seek the information directly from Mitchell and Nimrod; that we do not discuss consular matters with third parties. She went on to explain the U.S. privacy act, which appeared to satisfy the men. ¶8. (SBU) Charge asked whether the NDC has issued its platform - what the NDC is for - since mostly what she has been hearing is what the NDC is against. Thomas responded that the party will very soon set out its platform and provided a summary of what he indicated would become the official program. Thomas added that the NDC expects the Prime Minister will call elections in the fall of 2007, probably in November. The NDC hopes to be ready. ¶9. (SBU) David accused the U.S. of neglecting Grenada and the Eastern Caribbean. He also declared that Prime Minister Mitchell is a dictator and that the U.S. indifference is allowing him to continue. David added that Grenadian institutions are weak and there is growing violence. Thomas said the U.S. must provide scholarships to Caribbean students because it is owed to them. Carhart and Charge pointed out that the U.S. requires that students take personal initiative to explore the opportunities available to them, that it is difficult to make the argument to the U.S. taxpayer that they should fund something that is not available to their own children. Thomas conceded the point. As with the NNP, Charge reminded them that Congresswoman Barbara Lee has a draft bill proposing Caribbean scholarships, which we hope will move forward. She also told them about the information available to students through the TAMCC counseling center. ¶10. (U) Thomas and David were interested in how they can improve their connections with the USG. Charge suggested they meet with the Department's Office of Caribbean Affairs as a first step. When David asked about Congress, Charge suggested that he work with the Grenadian Ambassador in Washington to set up appointments. OAS RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Carhart and Charge had lunch with the Resident Representative of the Organization of American States, Francis McBarnette. McBarnette believes elections will be held soon, either late this year or early next year. He asked for U.S. assistance for an election observer mission, acknowledging that not knowing when elections would be called makes it hard to plan. Charge explained that funding might be a problem, but added that Embassy Grenada and Embassy Bridgetown would likely come up with some observers. Carhart volunteered to come down and help out. McBarnette said the new Deputy Secretary General likes to be active and might be willing to head the delegation. ¶12. (SBU) When asked about the re-sentencing of the Grenada 13, McBarnette commented the he knows Justice Belle, who was accused of bias in favor of the defendants. McBarnette told Charge and Carhart that in a room of lawyers, Belle was the last person he would have expected to make it to that level, that he is not particularly bright and easily led. ¶13. (C) COMMENT: During the visit to the NNP Headquarters, it was noted that some NNPers were apologetic about the state of their facility and grounds. In spite of this the NNPers were well organized, in contrast to their counterparts in the NDC offices. The general state of readiness, holding town hall meetings, etc. were quite impressive. The NDC did have some valid points; including education in Grenada (although it did reek of Peter David's self-promotion and his own desire for power). It was also noted how infrequently Tillman Thomas spoke up during the meeting especially considering he is the ostensible party leader; he is clearly a tool for others like Peter David, who harbors perhaps more ambition and energy than Thomas. Thomas has more useful street credibility given his past; how much that translates into useable POLITICAL currency may be a different matter, as is David's assertion of public ennui with Mitchell and crew. EN COMMENT. OURISMAN