Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GRENADA25
2009-03-31 22:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Grenada
Cable title:  

GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MARCH 22 - 28, 2009

Tags:  EFIN ECON PREL GJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5661
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0025 0902223
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 312223Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0549
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0636
UNCLAS GRENADA 000025 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON PREL GJ
SUBJECT: 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