GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MAY 3 - 9, 2009

UNCLAS GRENADA 000045 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN SOCI KPAO SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MAY 3 - 9, 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 text: a. Taiwan Demands Immediate Repayment of Loans Taiwan has demanded that the Grenada government repay four multi-million dollar loans it gave for a number of projects dating back to 1990. The Export Import Bank of the Republic of China on Taiwan wrote the Minister for Finance warning that the Asian nation intends to pursue all legal avenues to recover the US$25. The loans were used for the building of the Ministerial Complex, sports development, and agriculture. Two years ago, the GOG was ordered to repay the loan by a U.S. court. Grenada severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in January 2005 in favor of the People's Republic of China, which reportedly gave the government US$250 million at the time. b. Grenada Tops Cruise 2008 Destination Survey Grenada topped the list in three categories in Dream World Cruise Destination magazine survey of 231 ports for 2008. Grenada was number one as the most improved terminal facilities, most improved tourism destination and most efficient terminal operator, the only Caribbean destination recognized in those categories. The most improved destination is described as improvement to the tourism product and infrastructure assessing improvement in the town centre, landscaping traffic flow, provision of transport, access to tourism information, and creating new attractions and experiences. Grenada tied for the top spot with Germany and Gibraltar in the category of most efficiently operated terminal. c. PM Thomas addressed Media Conference Prime Minister Tillman Thomas last week supported calls for the development of a Caribbean media policy, while pointing to what he said was glaring evidence of sensationalism and bias on the part of the Grenada media. Addressing the start of the Caribbean Media and Communications Conference, the Prime Minister, who had earlier indicated that a new Freedom of Information Act and new media policy were in the cards for Grenada, urged all stakeholders to understand their roles and responsibilities. Over 30 media professionals from around the region participated in the two-day conference, which was held under the theme "Media and Dialogue". End text. MCISAAC