GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 1,

UNCLAS GRENADA 000168 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM SOCI SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 1, 2007 ¶1. (U) Embassy Grenada's weekly activity report (GWAR) provides a little detail about events of interest that do not merit longer reporting at this time. ¶2. (U) Begin Text: ¶A. Potential "Gay Cruises" Continue to Roil the Airwaves The question of whether so-called "gay cruises" will be allowed to dock in St. George's during the 2007-2008 tourist season continues to get substantial air and print space throughout Grenada. The government would like not to have to make a decision that will inevitably offend some portion of the population. The longer the GOG waits, the worse it gets as positions harden. While there are a few voices calling for tolerance, the most stridently opposed, including the local Catholic bishop, dominate the national discussion. The voices raised against banning the cruises are mostly of Grenadians involved in the tourist trade, especially the taxi drivers, street vendors, and others whose livelihood depends directly on the cruise ship passengers. The hotels have thus far remained out of the fight, since the cruise ship passengers do not stay overnight, though several of the large hotels' restaurants would lose a lot of lunch business. Government officials have pointed out that if the "gay cruises" are banned, Grenada may lose other ship visits in retaliation. Given the fear of a local backlash, it is entirely possible that the GOG will try to allow the port visits to come and go without making any decision at all. ¶B. (U) Nimrod Immunity Request Controversial Attorney General Elvin Nimrod's request to the USG that immunity from prosecution be granted for Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and his wife, Marietta, in Charles C. Howland against Resteiner, et al in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, remains a hot topic. Rabidly anti-government and anti-U.S. Grenada Today juxtaposes pictures of President George Bush and Mitchell, declaring that "[the President provides] A HELPING HAND FOR KEITH MITCHELL". The more rational The Grenadian Voice, and to a lesser extent The Grenada Advocate, report factually on the request and how it was handled in the United States, as well as some Grenadian reaction. ¶C. (U) Roundtable Discusses Prevention of Abuse Against Women in Grenada Sunday, 12/02, the George Grant radio show aired a roundtable of Grenadian experts discussing preventing abuse against women in Grenada, organized by Embassy Grenada and moderated by Grant. The women represented government, NGO's, media, the one home for battered women in Grenada, and the legal profession. There was lots of reaction, mostly positive, via phone and e-mail. We organized the program in response to the Secretary's injunction to embassies to actively create/participate in prevention of abuse against women events during the 11/25-12/10 period. George Grant is a highly respected local journalist with over 20 years of journalism experience in Canada and the United States, who returned home to Grenada about 20 years ago to help develop the local radio and television company, Grenada Broadcast Network (GBN). End text. MCISAAC