VZCZCXRO4964
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0155 3592056
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 242056Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0515
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0596

UNCLAS GRENADA 000155 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KCOR EFIN GJ
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2008 
 
¶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. Good Governance, Transparency, and Accountability 
The Commonwealth Secretariat is assisting Grenada and other 
regional governments to set up Integrity Commissions in their 
countries aimed at helping to oversee good governance, 
accountability and transparency in public office.  The 
Commonwealth official, who last week met with government 
officials and stake holders, said the response he received was 
warm and cooperative. Allegations of corruption dogged the 
former Grenada government for years.  The present Prime Minister 
said that good governance, transparency and accountability will 
be his government's watchwords. 
 
Grenada passed several anti-corruption laws in 2007 but has not 
fully implemented them.  The Integrity in Public Life Commission 
has remained unformed since mid-2007 as different sectors of 
society, including the now ruling party, objected to its format 
and several suggested commissioners.  The current government 
promised on December 12 that it will implement the commission in 
¶2009. 
 
b. Budget Debate Continues 
Debate on the EC$675.9 million (US$260 million) package 
presented on December 12 by the Government of Grenada will 
continue in the New Year.  Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, 
Elvin Nimrod, expressed his disappointment over the amount 
allocated to the Foreign Affairs ministry in the government's 
new budget for 2009.  He stressed that the work of the Foreign 
Affairs cannot easily be seen, like that of the Ministry of 
Works, but is equally important. He called on the Government to 
put more emphasis on the work of the mission in Brussels as 
regards to investment he said "this is one mission that always 
brings home the bacon" from the European Union. 
 
End text. 
 
MCISAAC