GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MARCH 22 - 28, 2009

UNCLAS GRENADA 000025 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MARCH 22 - 28, 2009 ¶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) IMF team visits Grenada An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team headed by Catherine Pattillo visited Grenada last week to conduct the third review of the government's economic program which is supported by the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Discussions focused on recent economic developments, fiscal performance, progress with the GOG's economic and structural reform agenda, as well as a policy framework for the remainder of 2009 taking into account the deteriorating global environment. The mission said they welcomed the authorities' commitment to addressing the challenges of the adverse external environment, and to strong and sound economic and fiscal management. b) Grenada's Economic Citizenship Program According to a document tabled in the Senate last week, some 860 persons from Russia, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Israel, Pakistan, Venezuela, Iran, Kuwait, China, USA, and some labeled `Stateless', received Grenadian citizenship under the country's economic citizenship program, which ran from 1997 to 2002. The program, which in some cases cost up to US$65,000, attracted such persons as Gilbert Ziegler a.k.a. Van Brink, who died while awaiting trial in the USA for financial fraud. Eric Resteiner, who is presently serving a jail sentence in the USA for operating an investment scam, also acquired Grenadian citizenship under the program. The passports acquired under the program are coming up for renewal. The GOG promised not to renew them, assuming it can be done legally. The economic citizenship program was one of the reasons Canada implemented a visa requirement for Grenadians several years ago. The GOG is hoping if it can sort out the passport issue, the GOC will drop the requirement. c) Grenada China People's Friendship Association Four years after Grenada and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic ties, the Grenada China People's Friendship Association was formed last week headed by an advisor to the Government on Agriculture and a Senator. The main objective of the organization is to promote and develop bilateral, cultural, economic, and social relations between the two countries. End text. MCISAAC