Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GRENADA119
2008-08-26 20:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:
GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008
how-toVZCZCXRO9136 RR RUEHGR DE RUEHGR #0119 2392053 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 262053Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0475 INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0510 RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0555
UNCLAS GRENADA 000119
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN KCRM SOCI GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008
UNCLAS GRENADA 000119
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN KCRM SOCI GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008
1. (U) Embassy Grenada's weekly 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. Grenada Not Ready to sign EPA
Grenada's Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas announced that Grenada
needs more time to study the Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) with the European Union (EU) before signing on. The
agreement, which is due to be signed on September 2, is now in
doubt as regional critics believe that the Caribbean will be at
a disadvantage. Europe's special concessions to its former
colonies did not pass muster with the World Trade Organization
and the EPA was the proposed solution.
Thomas, whose National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the
majority in the July 8 election, has rejected the former
government's reluctant acceptance of the EPA. Since other
Caribbean nations are challenging the EPA, Thomas may feel it is
safe to not sign on. Grenada is calculating that there will be
no fallout from the EU for not signing on time.
B. GOG Gets Tough on Money Laundering
During a workshop on 'Anti-money Laundering and Combating the
Financing of Terrorism' held in Grenada last week, the Minister
for Finance Nazim Burke said that Grenada is preparing for an
October 2008 review of its financial sector by the Caribbean
Financial Action Task Force. The last review was in 2003. The
Minister said the new administration will do all in its power to
ensure that persons engaged in money laundering are prosecuted,
convicted and their ill gotten gains confiscated.
C. Grenada and Trinidad sign MOU
According to the Grenada Advocate newspaper, the Government of
Grenada and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) signed a
memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which Grenadian students
will benefit from ten college scholarships each year to study in
Trinidad. Grenadians will also be able to travel to TT to seek
emergency health services at the expense of both governments on
the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer.
D. Koreans Share Their Culture
A four member team from Korea concluded three weeks in Grenada
holding workshops in three parishes with teachers and students
of secondary schools. The Koreans shared their games, culture,
food and movies with the participants and also taught the basics
of the Korean language. The lectures included IT training in
programming and web development.
End text.
MCISAAC
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN KCRM SOCI GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008
1. (U) Embassy Grenada's weekly 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. Grenada Not Ready to sign EPA
Grenada's Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas announced that Grenada
needs more time to study the Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) with the European Union (EU) before signing on. The
agreement, which is due to be signed on September 2, is now in
doubt as regional critics believe that the Caribbean will be at
a disadvantage. Europe's special concessions to its former
colonies did not pass muster with the World Trade Organization
and the EPA was the proposed solution.
Thomas, whose National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the
majority in the July 8 election, has rejected the former
government's reluctant acceptance of the EPA. Since other
Caribbean nations are challenging the EPA, Thomas may feel it is
safe to not sign on. Grenada is calculating that there will be
no fallout from the EU for not signing on time.
B. GOG Gets Tough on Money Laundering
During a workshop on 'Anti-money Laundering and Combating the
Financing of Terrorism' held in Grenada last week, the Minister
for Finance Nazim Burke said that Grenada is preparing for an
October 2008 review of its financial sector by the Caribbean
Financial Action Task Force. The last review was in 2003. The
Minister said the new administration will do all in its power to
ensure that persons engaged in money laundering are prosecuted,
convicted and their ill gotten gains confiscated.
C. Grenada and Trinidad sign MOU
According to the Grenada Advocate newspaper, the Government of
Grenada and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) signed a
memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which Grenadian students
will benefit from ten college scholarships each year to study in
Trinidad. Grenadians will also be able to travel to TT to seek
emergency health services at the expense of both governments on
the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer.
D. Koreans Share Their Culture
A four member team from Korea concluded three weeks in Grenada
holding workshops in three parishes with teachers and students
of secondary schools. The Koreans shared their games, culture,
food and movies with the participants and also taught the basics
of the Korean language. The lectures included IT training in
programming and web development.
End text.
MCISAAC