VZCZCXRO9136
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0119 2392053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262053Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0475
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0510
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0555 UNCLAS GRENADA 000119 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:          
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 17 - 23, 2008 
 
 1. (U) Embassy Grenada's weekly report (GWAR) provides a little 
detail about events of interest that do not merit longer 
reporting at this time. 
 
 2. (U) Begin GWAR text: 
 
 A. Grenada Not Ready to sign EPA 
Grenada's Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas announced that Grenada 
needs more time to study the Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA) with the European Union (EU) before signing on. The 
agreement, which is due to be signed on September 2, is now in 
doubt as regional critics believe that the Caribbean will be at 
a disadvantage.  Europe's special concessions to its former 
colonies did not pass muster with the World Trade Organization 
and the EPA was the proposed solution. 
 
Thomas, whose National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the 
majority in the July 8 election, has rejected the former 
government's reluctant acceptance of the EPA.  Since other 
Caribbean nations are challenging the EPA, Thomas may feel it is 
safe to not sign on.  Grenada is calculating that there will be 
no fallout from the EU for not signing on time. 
 
 B. GOG Gets Tough on Money Laundering 
During a workshop on 'Anti-money Laundering and Combating the 
Financing of Terrorism' held in Grenada last week, the Minister 
for Finance Nazim Burke said that Grenada is preparing for an 
October 2008 review of its financial sector by the Caribbean 
Financial Action Task Force. The last review was in 2003. The 
Minister said the new administration will do all in its power to 
ensure that persons engaged in money laundering are prosecuted, 
convicted and their ill gotten gains confiscated. 
 
 C. Grenada and Trinidad sign MOU 
According to the Grenada Advocate newspaper, the Government of 
Grenada and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) signed a 
memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which Grenadian students 
will benefit from ten college scholarships each year to study in 
Trinidad. Grenadians will also be able to travel to TT to seek 
emergency health services at the expense of both governments on 
the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer. 
 
 D. Koreans Share Their Culture 
A four member team from Korea concluded three weeks in Grenada 
holding workshops in three parishes with teachers and students 
of secondary schools. The Koreans shared their games, culture, 
food and movies with the participants and also taught the basics 
of the Korean language. The lectures included IT training in 
programming and web development. 
 
End text. 
 
MCISAAC