Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GRENADA37
2008-02-28 21:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:  

GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 17 - 23, 2008

Tags:  PREL ETRD PGOV GJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHGR #0037 0592153
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 282153Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0385
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0416
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0459
UNCLAS GRENADA 000037 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 17 - 23, 2008


UNCLAS GRENADA 000037

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 17 - 23, 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. (U) Mitchell waits for CARICOM's input before deciding on ALBA
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell announced that Grenada will not
make a decision about whether to sign up to Venezuela's proposed
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) until hearing
from the other CARICOM states. According to the Prime Minister's
Office, Mitchell described ALBA as "a gigantic step" and should
be discussed at the CARICOM level first. Venezuela's President
Hugo Chavez has been promoting the trade and cooperation
initiative as Venezuela's answer to the proposed Free Trade Area
of the Americas (FTAA).


B. (U) The British Complete Move out of Grenada in March
March 14 will be the last day the British High Commission office
will be open to the public. As of March 31, the British office
will close its doors for good. An Honorary Consul will be
appointed for emergency needs; all other business will be done
through the High Commission office in Barbados.


C. (U) Opposition Leader calls on Minister to Apologize
The leader of the Opposition, Tillman Thomas called on the
Minister for Economic Development and Planning Anthony Boatswain
to apologize to the governments of the Caribbean who he referred
to as `undesirables'. The opposition has been rejoicing about
the `wind of change' in the region as long-serving governments
have been swept out of office, assuming the same will happen in
Grenada when elections are finally called. At a political
rally, Boatswain said that the people should be aware of the
`unfortunate and hostile wind of change being blown throughout
the Caribbean, which blew some undesirables into office'.


D. (U) OAS Secretary General Visits Grenada
OAS Secretary General H.E. Jose Miguel Insulza, during his
February 23 - 25 visit to Grenada complimented Prime Minister
Mitchell on the amazing recovery in Grenada since Hurricane Ivan
devastated the island nation in 2004. Insulza met with Cabinet
members and discussed increasing scholarship opportunities for
young Grenadians, providing more online opportunities for study,
and doing more work in the area of gender studies. The OAS/SG
also promised technical assistance for the electoral office's
computer system.

End text.

MCISAAC