GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4,

UNCLAS GRENADA 000136 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ASEC KCRM SOCI XL GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2008 ¶1. Embassy Grenada's weekly report (GWAR) provides a little detail about events of interest that do not merit longer reporting at this time. ¶2. Begin GWAR text: ¶A. Grenada Pioneers New AOSIS Fund Grenada's Foreign Minister and the deputy Foreign Minister of Greece announced on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS),a new fund pioneered by Grenada to help island states around the world cope with the impacts of climate change. Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Yanni Valinakis said that Greece was sensitive to the needs of the island states facing the impacts of climate change. He said that Greece will contribute four million Euros over the next four years to the fund. ¶B. New COP Taking Tough Measures Since Commissioner of Police (COP) James Clarkson took charge of the Royal Grenadian Police Force (RGPF) there have been many changes within the force. The top cop said that he aims to remove all the undesirables from the force. In the last week, five officers were suspended with half pay and awaiting trial: one on charges of indecent assault; one for issuing bad checks; and three for brutally beating a group of young men. The COP said any officer found breaking the law or violating police standing orders will be dealt with severely. ¶C. Minister Chides Local Media for Too Much Sad News Minister for Social Development, Glynis Roberts chided Grenada's media organizations for focusing too much on what she termed the "evils of our society". The Minister who was recently returned from a trip to Brussels expressed disappointment that local media had not reported her trip or its outcome. She urged reporters to "try to minimize the evils and . promote more good". The comments followed remarks Robert made about the social issues facing Grenadian society, such as violent behavior among students, and family dysfunction MCISAAC