Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07GRENADA164
2007-11-21 13:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:  

WHA/CAR DIRECTOR DE PIRRO VISITS TO GRENADA

Tags:  PREL PHUM PGOV CASC CVIS KCRM EFIN ASEC GJ 
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DE RUEHGR #0164/01 3251307
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R 211307Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0324
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0350
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0390
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GRENADA 000164 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV CASC CVIS KCRM EFIN ASEC GJ
SUBJECT: WHA/CAR DIRECTOR DE PIRRO VISITS TO GRENADA


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GRENADA 000164

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV CASC CVIS KCRM EFIN ASEC GJ
SUBJECT: WHA/CAR DIRECTOR DE PIRRO VISITS TO GRENADA



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: WHA/CAR Director Velia De Pirro met with a
range of local government officials and community leaders during
her November 12-13 visit to Grenada. In her meetings, De Pirro
reiterated continued U.S. engagement in the region and stressed
the importance of demonstrating support for democracy and
protection of human rights in upcoming country resolution votes
at UNGA. De Pirro explained the current pilot program in three
CARICOM countries to assist in the reintegration of deportees
from the United States which, if additional resources become
available, could be expanded to include other Caribbean
nations. De Pirro visited the local Peace Corps office and met
with Embassy Grenada local staff. She hosted a lunch that
included OAS, university, media, and political representatives.
At the lunch, De Pirro told the OAS resident representative the
USG would consider his request for U.S. support for an election
observer mission when Grenada next holds elections, expected
within a year. END SUMMARY


2. (U) Charge d'Affaires Karen Jo McIsaac accompanied Director
De Pirro to all meetings except at the Peace Corps office.

St. George's University


3. (U) De Pirro met briefly with the Chancellor of St. George's
University (SGU),Dr. Charles Modica and SGU's deans. The group
described the university's evolution from an overseas medical
school for American students to its current international
student body, with scholarship students from around the world.
. Veterinary medicine was added in 1998 and a nursing program
will open in January 2008. . Modica expressed concern about
the high number of Grenadians, who were issued visas to
participate in a caregiver training program, but remained in the
U.S. illegally. Note: Over half of the group either did not
even start the training or did not return to Grenada at its
conclusion. Modica promised to put in place measures to ensure
compliance with visa conditions.

Grenadian Government Officials



4. (U) De Pirro held separate meetings with Minister of Foreign
Affairs Elvin Nimrod and Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, but
covered much the same ground in each. Both welcomed De Pirro to
Grenada and thanked the United States for its $46 million
assistance program post-Hurricane Ivan in 2004, by far the
largest contribution from any donor.


5. (SBU) Mitchell noted his understanding for the multiple
demands faced by the United States in the world. He stated that
the most significant help the U.S. could give is its support for
Grenada, and other CARICOM countries, in the international
financial institutions. De Pirro assured the PM and MFA that we
are paying attention to the region, commenting that while it may
not always be in the headlines, U.S. assistance continues to
flow to the Caribbean countries. Both Nimrod and Mitchell
welcomed De Pirro's assurance that WHA/CAR is following up on
the June 2007 Conference on the Caribbean deliverables with
monthly meetings with CARICOM ambassadors.


6. (U) De Pirro explained the new program to help deportees from
the U.S. re-assimilate into their home countries. The USG
signed a memorandum of agreement with the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) and pilot program is starting
up in Jamaica, Guyana, and The Bahamas with limited funding.
Should the program prove successful, and additional funding
become available, the program will be extended to other CARICOM
countries.


7. (SBU) De Pirro pointed out the importance of supporting
democracy and human rights and suggested that voting as a bloc
often does not work well as the group's positions represent the
lowest common denominator. She reminded Nimrod that the
upcoming UNGA resolutions on Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and
Burma are of great importance to the United States and asked
that Grenada support them. Nimrod was unable to provide any
information on Grenada's voting position for any of these
resolutions. (COMMENT: In addition to being Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Attorney General, Nimrod is the member of
Parliament for the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Mitchell told McIsaac on November 8 that he has picked up more
of the MFA duties so that Nimrod can spend more time in his
constituency, as "foreign ministers do not win elections." END
COMMENT)

Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition


8. (SBU) Opposition leader, National Democratic Congress (NDC)
political leader, Tillman Thomas raised the issue of immigration
to the U.S., saying he just returned from a trip to New York
City and the recent debate over issuing driver's licenses to
illegal immigrants is upsetting. De Pirro pointed out that the
issue is divisive in the United States, with some believing that
the group should have all rights and privileges and others

GRENADA 00000164 002 OF 002


believing that they should have none. (Embassy Comment: Thomas
was reflecting a commonly held conviction here that Grenadians
have a right to live in the United States, regardless of their
visa status. Over 95% of first time passport applications
received at Embassy Grenada are for children born to Grenadian
women who deliberately went there to give birth. END COMMENT)


9. (U) Thomas noted NDC's concern about the Royal Grenadian
Police Force (RGPF) inability to effectively combat drugs
transiting Grenada, a direct result of a lack of a competent
coast guard. De Pirro responded that it is easier for the
United States to assist countries that build their capabilities.
She added that the police need to maintain high standards; we
can help with training, but less so on equipment. In fact, for
institutions to work, a core professional staff is required that
recognizes the chain of command.


10. (U) According to a recently released World Bank report,
agriculture is still a primary instrument for poverty
alleviation, which the NDC wants to focus on. Thomas said the
party plans to develop a national export strategy for the
production of herbs and spices, given Grenada's rich soil.
Thomas indicated the NDC's interest in keeping people in rural
areas focused on agriculture. De Pirro noted that while the
government could provide incentives to promote farming, it
should not force people to engage in farming or force them to
remain in rural areas. She stressed that private initiative
were key to economic development

Royal Grenadian Police Force


11. (SBU) Commissioner of Police (COP) Winston James explained
that as Grenada has no military, the RGPF includes, in addition
to the regular police force, immigration, customs, fire
brigades, coast guard, a small paratroop unit (Special Services
Unit or SSU) which incorporates a drug squad. The RGPF intends
to increase the number of coast guard officers, as recommended
by the United States, but the initial screening has caught a
number of officers engaged in illegal activity, so the process
is moving more slowly than hoped. James said his key goal is to
get training for the new coast guard officers, once they are in
place. James stressed that Grenada shared the U.S. concern with
narcotics trafficking through the region, particularly the flow
of drugs through Venezuela. He noted, however, that without a
viable coast guard Grenada was powerless to interdict
traffickers in its own territory.


12. (U) De Pirro welcomed Grenada's cooperation with the United
States on law enforcement issues and noted our continued
engagement in the region. She asked the COP about the RGPF
plans and needs. James asked specifically if ICITAP training is
still available, since he has identified a need for training in
forensic sciences and investigation. De Pirro responded that
ICITAP has shifted its focus to other regions. James attributed
crime in Grenada to local gangs and young men on drugs.
MCISAAC