Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GRENADA122
2008-09-02 22:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:  

GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 24 - 30, 2008

Tags:  ASEC EFIN KIPR ETRD CH XL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0122 2462251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 022251Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0477
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0513
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0558
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

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