DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON 64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THIRD

UNCLAS GRENADA 000073 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UN GJ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON 64TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THIRD COMMITTEE, 2009 - PRIORITIES TO GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA REF: STATE 108921 ¶1. (U) Charge d'Affaires delivered demarche provided in reftel to Grenada Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter David on October 22, 2009. The meeting took place in David's office and in addition to Charge Kate Riche, included Permanent Secretary Sybil Alexander. UNGA ¶2. (SBU) Minister David expressed support for the biennial U.S. elections resolution and said that he had already discussed the country-specific resolutions on Iran, Burma and the DPRK with the Mission of Grenada in New York. He also voiced agreement with moving to block no-action resolutions in the committee to ensure substantive debate on human rights issues takes place. He noted that Grenada typically attempts to align their voting position with the rest of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations. ¶3. (SBU) The Minister expressed a particular interest in working with the U.S. towards language in the Convention on the Rights of the Child that would lead to ratification. He assured CDA that he would have the Grenada's UN Mission in New York contact USUN to discuss this language in the near future. OTHER ISSUES ¶1. (SBU) The Minister used this meeting as an opportunity to bring up several other topics he considers priorities to the Government of Grenada. Firstly, he commented that President Obama's recent remarks regarding the U.S. relationship with Cuba were welcome, and that the USG has the full support of Grenada as a `'traditional ally.'' Minister David stated that Grenada sees U.S. policy towards Cuba, specifically the trade embargo, as an ''anomaly'', and that the GoG hopes to see a shift in the U.S. stance towards Cuba. ¶4. (SBU) The Minister further relayed his concerns about the smuggling of small arms into the region. While the Minister stated that Grenada has not had to deal with this issue to the same degree as countries such as Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica, it is still of the utmost importance to the GoG that further resolutions be passed through UNGA to prevent further proliferation. ¶5. (SBU) The Minister then raised GoG concerns regarding the return of deportees from the U.S. to Grenada. The Minister expressed a desire to continue to work to find a solution separate from returning criminals to Grenada. ¶6. (U) The Minister's Permanent Secretary also made a specific inquiry regarding the GoG's earlier request for the sinking of the U.S.S. Independence off the coast of Grenada. The Ministry of Tourism wishes to use the sunken site as a diving location and has asked for U.S. assistance. ¶7. (SBU) Finally, the Minister raised the issue of visa issuance in Grenada. He noted the expense and logistical difficulty of requiring applicants to travel to Embassy Bridgetown and requested that the Department look into reinstating visa services at Embassy Grenada. RICHE