GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 20-26, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000014 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 20-26, 2008 ¶1. (U) Embassy Grenada's weekly activity 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. Mitchell Says If Asked He Would Cede Party Leadership Amid reports of party dissension, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, whose New National Party (NNP) has been at the helm for the past 13 years, said he has always said he would step aside if the party leadership asks him to. The PM must call elections no later than February 2009, though many Grenadians believe they will be called sometime in 2008. The NNP government will be seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in office and concern has reportedly been raised among the party membership about its ability to win with Mitchell at the helm. ¶B. Governor General to receive Grenada's highest honor On February 7, 2008 - the 34th Anniversary of Grenada's Independence - Governor General Sir Daniel Williams will become the first Grenadian to be presented with the country's highest award, the Companion of the Order of Grenada. The National Honors Act, which Parliament passed in December 2007, states that each year, one person, "who has brought international prestige to Grenada", is eligible to receive the Companion of the Order of Grenada. Sir Daniel became Grenada's Head of State in August 1996. ¶C. U.S. Heart Specialists to visit Grenada According to the Ministry of Health's spokesperson, CardioStart International, made up of over twenty recognized Cardiologists from around the world, based in the United States, will be in Grenada for three weeks performing cardiac surgery, cardiac out-reach programs and lectures. Minister for Health Sen. Ann David-Antoine, who has been working closely with St. George's University and the World Heart Foundation, invited the group to Grenada when she spoke with CardioStart International's Dr. Aubyn Marath in May 2007. End text. MCISAAC