GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 6 - 12, 2008

UNCLAS GRENADA 000005 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SOCI EAIR GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT JANUARY 6 - 12, 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. Parliamentary Elections Office Demands Proof Leader of the Technical Allied Workers Union (TAWU),Senator Chester Humphrey, on January 6's Sundays with George Grant broadcast claimed that two Jamaicans were doing something nefarious (unspecified) to Grenada's voters list. Head of the Parliamentary Elections Office, Nadica McIntyre, denied the charge and challenged Humphrey to provide proof of his accusations. Humphrey has declined. On the air, Grant unsuccessfully tried to caution Humphrey against making unfounded accusations, hoping not to be dragged into the controversy. ¶B. U.S. University reps to visit Grenada The Ministry of Education announced that representatives from MidWestern State University (MWSU) and Stephen F. Austin University will arrive in Grenada on February 8. They will meet with prospective and interested students in an open forum to provide information on their various programs and incentives for Grenadian students. For the past 15 years, Grenadian students have been participating in the MWSU scholarship program, which provides students with a partial waiver on tuition fees. Stephen F. Austin offers a similar waiver. ¶C. PM Mitchell Meets with LIAT CEO Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell, met with LIAT CEO, Mark Darby on January 10 to register Government's serious concerns regarding the operations of LIAT. PM Mitchell told the LIAT CEO that the current monopoly arrangement, which LIAT enjoys, was not necessarily in the best interest of the travelling public. He identified the unavailability of flights, the unreliability of services and the sharp increase in fares as the main problems. In response, Mr. Darby outlined for the Prime Minister the factors, including higher oil prices and taxes, which caused the increases. He said that LIAT is working on a plan to improve service. End text. MCISAAC