GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JANUARY 4 - 10, 2009

UNCLAS GRENADA 000003 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KCRM ETRD GJ SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR JANUARY 4 - 10, 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. PM Thomas Promises Anti-Corruption and FOIA Implementation Prime Minister Tillman Thomas told media workers that his government is committed to enforce the rule of law. His administration is moving to implement the anti-corruption legislation passed in Parliament over a year ago and to appoint an ombudsman to look into complaints from the public. Plans also are afoot to introduce a Freedom of Information Act that will enhance Grenadians access to government information. Thomas stressed that there is a need for a national media policy and a code of ethics to guide and inform media practice in Grenada. The Prime Minister reminded the media that it was due to his belief of freedom of the press that he spent over two years in prison during the Grenada Revolution. b. Twelve member Chinese Delegation Visits Grenada Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, last week met with a twelve-member delegation from the Peoples Republic of China. The delegation from Guangdong Province in south east China was led by Deputy-Secretary, Mr. Xio Jie Liu and accompanied by the Ambassador of China to Grenada, H.E Zhang Wanhai. A wide range of issues were discussed including deepening cooperation in Agriculture and Tourism. Mr. Liu pointed out that Guangdong is a center for the manufacturing of machinery, electronics and garments. The Prime Minister told the delegates that there was an opportunity for Grenadian farmers to benefit from deepening ties with Guangdong Province. c. Brazil to set up Embassy in Grenada Brazil is getting ready to set up an Embassy in Grenada within the first quarter of 2009. Minister for Foreign Affairs said that Grenada will be building new relationships and Brazil, an emerging regional power, is one of them. Two other countries mentioned by the Minister for similar relationships were South Africa and Brunei. All Grenada Ambassadors are being called home in February to attend a conference on Grenada's National Foreign Policy. MCISAAC