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