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