GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 24 - 30, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000122 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EFIN KIPR ETRD CH XL SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 24 - 30, 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. Chinese Donate Equipment and Supplies to RGPF The PRC signed an agreement with Grenada's Commissioner of Police James Clarkson handing over $400,000 in equipment and supplies to the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF). This included band instruments, refrigerators, chainsaws, air conditioners, multi-media projectors, and jaws of life. A four-man Chinese team is now seconded to the police band and a martial arts unit is working with officers at the Special Services Unit. Three members of RGPF will travel to China to attend a series of training workshops as well. ¶B. Grenada Facing Financial Difficulties The seven-week-old Government of Grenada complained of inheriting an empty treasury and warned that the government may not be able to meet its monthly expenses, including paying the country's 3,000 public servants. The Minister for Finance Nazim Burke told reporters that the Government's monthly expenditure is around US$20.7 million, but revenue has been estimated at US$14.4 million. Burke described the financial situation as challenging adding that the government would have to rely on overdraft facilities in order to meet its obligations. He also hinted at the introduction of a program to tighten government spending. Whichever party won the July 8 election, austerity measures were nearly inevitable. Former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell had in fact hinted at this during the election campaign and warned that promises made by opponents would not be met as a result. New Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has announced that the country is looking for grant assistance from friendly nations. ¶C. Grenada to Pass New Copyright Laws The Registrar of the Grenada Supreme Courts announced that he has drafted three of fourteen new pieces of legislation, which must be sent to the World Intellectual Property Organization for review before being presented to Parliament. The government hopes to have the new legislation in place by the end of the year. It will protect the work of cultural, literary and other performing artistes. The new Copyright Act will also cover several areas not addressed under existing law. End text. MCISAAC