GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - OCTOBER 5 - 11, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000137 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI EFIN GJ XL SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - OCTOBER 5 - 11, 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's Prime Minister Visits Washington Prime Minister Tillman Thomas termed "successful" his whirlwind one-day tour of the U.S. capitol. Thomas met with U.S. President George Bush in the Oval Office. The two leaders discussed possible U.S. assistance to Grenada, including possible scholarships for Grenadians to study in the United States and increase Grenada's energy independence. They also discussed Venezuela's activities and influence in Grenada. Thomas also met with Congressman Donald Payne, discussing a wide range of issues related to trade, the economic impact of the slowdown in the global economy on Caribbean states and security. The PM said he hopes his visit to Washington will "mark the beginning of a more productive phase in the relations between the USA and Caribbean region". ¶B. October 10 declared Mental Health Day in Grenada World Mental Health Day, organized annually since 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, was recognized in Grenada for the first time. The Minister for Health last week proclaimed October 10 to be "World Mental Health Day". The Minister urged all non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies to work together to improve mental health services. He called on members of the community to increase their understanding of mental disorders and to help reduce the stigma and discrimination of mental illness. ¶C. Minister for Finance attends IMF meeting Grenada's Minister for Finance Nazim Burke accompanied by Permanent Secretary for Finance, Timothy Antoine, and Director of Private Sector Development Christopher De Riggs, are attending the annual meetings of the Boards of Governors of the IMF/World Bank Group in Washington D.C. Burke met with the Executive Director of the World Bank, Dr. Samy Watson; the Executive Director of the IMF, Mr. Michael Horgan; the Country Director of the Caribbean Management Unit, Dr. Yvonne Tskikata; and the Managing Director of the IMF, Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The Minister is looking for continued support from the international financial institutions as Grenada addressing its crushing debt problems. MCISAAC