GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 13 - 19, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000010 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ELAB SOCI GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 13 - 19, 2008 ¶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 GWAR text: ¶A. Kuwait Funds Feeder Road Project The Government of Grenada received the go ahead last week to commence an Agricultural Feeder road project, funded by Kuwait. The EC $63.5 million works plus EC$3.0 million consultancy/management project has been split into two phases. Under Phase A, $36 million will be spent on 17 roads while $30 million will be spent under phase B on 23 roads, including some unfinished under phase A. ¶B. Prime Minister meets with OAS Rep. Prime Minister Keith Mitchell met with OAS Representative in Grenada, Francis McBarnette and requested a high level OAS delegation election observation mission for the entire election period. Mitchell told McBarnette that Grenada has not had any major problems with elections in recent times and he wanted to see the electoral process continue to be free and fair. The discussion covered problems encountered recently at the Grenada Parliamentary Elections Office, to which the OAS has provided assistance in the past. The two men also discussed OAS assistance for the implementation of the Integrity in Public Life Bill, which would regulate politicians and public servants, mandating disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. The bill passed in 2007 but the oversight commission, which must be set up by the Governor General, is not yet in place. ¶C. Government and Public Workers Union (PWU) Sign Agreement The GOG and the PWU last week signed an agreement for wage increases and fringe benefits for over 4000 public workers to cover a three year period. The Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) has given the government two weeks to resume negotiations for wage increases for public servants who are registered under TAWU. ¶D. Digicel Donates To Cancer Clinic Mobil phone company Digicel donated approximately US$400,000 towards the establishment of the first cancer clinic in Grenada. According to the Spice Isle Review, the donation will be managed by Direct Relief International and will fund research, care, and treatment of cancer patients in Grenada. End text. MCISAAC