VZCZCXRO1678
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0028/01 0501930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191930Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0374
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0405
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0447

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GRENADA 000028 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PNAT PREL MOPS OTRA GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA CELEBRATES 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
REF: A. (A) GRENADA 17 
     ¶B. (B) GRENADA 18 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: The Ambassador visited Grenada February 6 - 7 to 
participate in the country's Independence Day activities, 
including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) February 6 
reception and the February 7 Military Parade.  Members of the 
Puerto Rican National Guard Color Guard marched in the parade. 
U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC FORWARD was in St. George's 
February 5 - 8 to show the flag (reported ref A) and several 
officers accompanied the Ambassador to the Independence Day 
events.  While in Grenada, the Ambassador officially handed over 
to the Government of Grenada the two emergency operating centers 
funded by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).  She had attended 
the groundbreaking ceremonies during her July 2007 visit. 
Ambassador Ourisman's February 7 meeting with newly arrived 
Venezuelan Ambassador to Grenada was reported in ref B. 
Venezuelan Coast Guard and paratroopers made up nearly half of 
those marching this year, a repeat of last year.  END SUMMARY 
 
¶2.  The Ambassador was accompanied to the events by OMS Nora 
Myers, Charge d'Affaires Karen Jo McIsaac, and DAO-Caracas 
Commander Stephen Leslie.  Commander Matt Sibley, Commanding 
Officer of the USCGC FORWARD and three of his officers attended 
the reception and the parade. 
 
EMERGENCY OPERATING CENTERS HANDED OVER 
 
¶3.  During the brief official handing over ceremony staged at 
the emergency operating center (EOC) located at Pearls Airport, 
the Ambassador commended Grenada for recognizing the need to 
improve its emergency preparedness capacity.  She noted the 
important role the two new EOC's will play by enabling the Royal 
Grenada Police Force (RGPF), the National Disaster Management 
Agency (NADMA), and other first responders to reach Grenadians 
outside St. George's more quickly and efficiently than before. 
The two EOC's - one on Grenada and one on Carriacou - represent 
the ongoing cooperation and friendship between the peoples of 
the United States and of Grenada.  She reminded the audience 
that the United States provided US$46 million in assistance to 
Grenada to help rebuild the country following Hurricane Ivan's 
devastating passage in 2004.  U.S. assistance continues, as 
demonstrated by the two EOC's.  The Ambassador regretted that 
she would not be able to visit Carriacou on this visit, but 
noted that she had attended the EOC groundbreaking ceremony 
there during her July 2007 visit to the country.  She expressed 
the hope that she would have time to visit Carriacou again at a 
later date. 
 
¶4.  Member of Parliament representing St. Andrews Northeast, 
Roland Bhola welcomed Ambassador Ourisman to his constituency. 
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Carriacou and Petit Martinique 
Affairs, Elvin Nimrod, received the EOC's on behalf of the 
government.  Nimrod thanked the Ambassador for the ongoing 
support the GOG has received from the United States and promised 
the EOC's will be put to good use.  The Ambassador presented 
Nimrod with a plaque commemorating the event. 
 
¶5.  Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition Tillman Thomas and 
several members from both houses of Parliament and NADMA also 
attended the event. 
 
INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS 
 
¶6.  The Ambassador attended the February 6 Independence Day 
reception hosted by MFA Elvin Nimrod at the Grenadian by Rex 
Resorts.  Many of the non-resident Ambassadors and High 
Commissioners were in attendance, having arrived earlier in the 
day from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Caracas, and Jamaica. 
 
¶7.  On February 7, the Ambassador attended the Military Parade 
which was held for the first time in Grenada's National Cricket 
Stadium (built by the PRC with Chinese labor and completed in 
January 2007).  The stadium proved to be an excellent venue for 
the event.  GOG officials estimated that around 12,000 
Grenadians showed up, and all were able to find seats in the 
facility, built to hold 16,000.  There was a brief shower, but 
the good weather held for the duration. 
 
¶8.  Four members of the Puerto Rico National Guard Color Guard 
gave a stellar performance in the parade.  The RGPF Police Band, 
Special Services Unit, Coast Guard, Women's Police Unit, Men's 
Police Unit, Prison Guards, as well as the Girl Guides, Boy 
Scouts, Red Cross Auxiliary, Lions Club all marched followed by 
five police cars, one fire truck, and an ambulance with sirens 
blaring, and a civilian motorcycle (about ten two- and 
three-wheelers) brigade.  The Women's and Men's Police Units 
performed a complex march to create 34, the number of years of 
independence to enthusiastic cheers and applause from the crowd. 
 
¶9.  Approximately 125 Venezuelan soldiers and sailors marched as 
well, making up probably half of those on the field.  About 20 
were from the Venezuelan Coast Guard (which one announcer 
misidentified several times as from the USCGC FORWARD) who had 
 
GRENADA 00000028  002 OF 002 
 
 
some difficulty remaining in step.  The remaining Venezuelans 
were paratroopers, in camouflage fatigues, with green and black 
face paint (face half green and have black), carrying automatic 
weapons.  The latter swung their guns up and chanted 
"parachutists, parachutists" as they passed the reviewing stand. 
 The parachutists in question were, however, grounded.  We 
learned afterwards from the Venezuelan diplomats that the GOG, 
after requesting their participation, had not managed to give 
them the required diplomatic clearance to bring the planes and 
helicopters into Grenada to perform the parachute drops. 
 
¶9.  The Ambassador met with the Puerto Rican National Guard 
Color Guard members at her hotel after the parade to thank them 
personally for their spirited participation. 
MCISAAC