GRENADA CELEBRATES 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GRENADA 000028

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PNAT PREL MOPS OTRA GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA CELEBRATES 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

REF: A. (A) GRENADA 17

B. (B) GRENADA 18


1. SUMMARY: The Ambassador visited Grenada February 6 - 7 to
participate in the country's Independence Day activities,
including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) February 6
reception and the February 7 Military Parade. Members of the
Puerto Rican National Guard Color Guard marched in the parade.
U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC FORWARD was in St. George's
February 5 - 8 to show the flag (reported ref A) and several
officers accompanied the Ambassador to the Independence Day
events. While in Grenada, the Ambassador officially handed over
to the Government of Grenada the two emergency operating centers
funded by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). She had attended
the groundbreaking ceremonies during her July 2007 visit.
Ambassador Ourisman's February 7 meeting with newly arrived
Venezuelan Ambassador to Grenada was reported in ref B.
Venezuelan Coast Guard and paratroopers made up nearly half of
those marching this year, a repeat of last year. END SUMMARY


2. The Ambassador was accompanied to the events by OMS Nora
Myers, Charge d'Affaires Karen Jo McIsaac, and DAO-Caracas
Commander Stephen Leslie. Commander Matt Sibley, Commanding
Officer of the USCGC FORWARD and three of his officers attended
the reception and the parade.

EMERGENCY OPERATING CENTERS HANDED OVER


3. During the brief official handing over ceremony staged at
the emergency operating center (EOC) located at Pearls Airport,
the Ambassador commended Grenada for recognizing the need to
improve its emergency preparedness capacity. She noted the
important role the two new EOC's will play by enabling the Royal
Grenada Police Force (RGPF),the National Disaster Management
Agency (NADMA),and other first responders to reach Grenadians
outside St. George's more quickly and efficiently than before.
The two EOC's - one on Grenada and one on Carriacou - represent
the ongoing cooperation and friendship between the peoples of
the United States and of Grenada. She reminded the audience
that the United States provided US$46 million in assistance to
Grenada to help rebuild the country following Hurricane Ivan's
devastating passage in 2004. U.S. assistance continues, as
demonstrated by the two EOC's. The Ambassador regretted that
she would not be able to visit Carriacou on this visit, but
noted that she had attended the EOC groundbreaking ceremony
there during her July 2007 visit to the country. She expressed
the hope that she would have time to visit Carriacou again at a
later date.


4. Member of Parliament representing St. Andrews Northeast,
Roland Bhola welcomed Ambassador Ourisman to his constituency.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Carriacou and Petit Martinique
Affairs, Elvin Nimrod, received the EOC's on behalf of the
government. Nimrod thanked the Ambassador for the ongoing
support the GOG has received from the United States and promised
the EOC's will be put to good use. The Ambassador presented
Nimrod with a plaque commemorating the event.


5. Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition Tillman Thomas and
several members from both houses of Parliament and NADMA also
attended the event.

INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS


6. The Ambassador attended the February 6 Independence Day
reception hosted by MFA Elvin Nimrod at the Grenadian by Rex
Resorts. Many of the non-resident Ambassadors and High
Commissioners were in attendance, having arrived earlier in the
day from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Caracas, and Jamaica.


7. On February 7, the Ambassador attended the Military Parade
which was held for the first time in Grenada's National Cricket
Stadium (built by the PRC with Chinese labor and completed in
January 2007). The stadium proved to be an excellent venue for
the event. GOG officials estimated that around 12,000
Grenadians showed up, and all were able to find seats in the
facility, built to hold 16,000. There was a brief shower, but
the good weather held for the duration.


8. Four members of the Puerto Rico National Guard Color Guard
gave a stellar performance in the parade. The RGPF Police Band,
Special Services Unit, Coast Guard, Women's Police Unit, Men's
Police Unit, Prison Guards, as well as the Girl Guides, Boy
Scouts, Red Cross Auxiliary, Lions Club all marched followed by
five police cars, one fire truck, and an ambulance with sirens
blaring, and a civilian motorcycle (about ten two- and
three-wheelers) brigade. The Women's and Men's Police Units
performed a complex march to create 34, the number of years of
independence to enthusiastic cheers and applause from the crowd.


9. Approximately 125 Venezuelan soldiers and sailors marched as
well, making up probably half of those on the field. About 20
were from the Venezuelan Coast Guard (which one announcer
misidentified several times as from the USCGC FORWARD) who had

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some difficulty remaining in step. The remaining Venezuelans
were paratroopers, in camouflage fatigues, with green and black
face paint (face half green and have black),carrying automatic
weapons. The latter swung their guns up and chanted
"parachutists, parachutists" as they passed the reviewing stand.
The parachutists in question were, however, grounded. We
learned afterwards from the Venezuelan diplomats that the GOG,
after requesting their participation, had not managed to give
them the required diplomatic clearance to bring the planes and
helicopters into Grenada to perform the parachute drops.


9. The Ambassador met with the Puerto Rican National Guard
Color Guard members at her hotel after the parade to thank them
personally for their spirited participation.
MCISAAC