GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000155 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCOR EFIN GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT DECEMBER 14 - 20, 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. Good Governance, Transparency, and Accountability The Commonwealth Secretariat is assisting Grenada and other regional governments to set up Integrity Commissions in their countries aimed at helping to oversee good governance, accountability and transparency in public office. The Commonwealth official, who last week met with government officials and stake holders, said the response he received was warm and cooperative. Allegations of corruption dogged the former Grenada government for years. The present Prime Minister said that good governance, transparency and accountability will be his government's watchwords. Grenada passed several anti-corruption laws in 2007 but has not fully implemented them. The Integrity in Public Life Commission has remained unformed since mid-2007 as different sectors of society, including the now ruling party, objected to its format and several suggested commissioners. The current government promised on December 12 that it will implement the commission in ¶2009. b. Budget Debate Continues Debate on the EC$675.9 million (US$260 million) package presented on December 12 by the Government of Grenada will continue in the New Year. Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elvin Nimrod, expressed his disappointment over the amount allocated to the Foreign Affairs ministry in the government's new budget for 2009. He stressed that the work of the Foreign Affairs cannot easily be seen, like that of the Ministry of Works, but is equally important. He called on the Government to put more emphasis on the work of the mission in Brussels as regards to investment he said "this is one mission that always brings home the bacon" from the European Union. End text. MCISAAC