VZCZCXRO3681
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHGR #0122 2462251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 022251Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY GRENADA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0477
INFO RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 0513
RUEHGR/AMEMBASSY GRENADA 0558 UNCLAS GRENADA 000122 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:            
SUBJECT: GRENADA WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT AUGUST 24 - 30, 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. Chinese Donate Equipment and Supplies to RGPF 
The PRC signed an agreement with Grenada's Commissioner of 
Police James Clarkson handing over $400,000 in equipment and 
supplies to the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).  This 
included band instruments, refrigerators, chainsaws, air 
conditioners, multi-media projectors, and jaws of life.  A 
four-man Chinese team is now seconded to the police band and a 
martial arts unit is working with officers at the Special 
Services Unit.  Three members of RGPF will travel to China to 
attend a series of training workshops as well. 
 
 B. Grenada Facing Financial Difficulties 
The seven-week-old Government of Grenada complained of 
inheriting an empty treasury and warned that the government may 
not be able to meet its monthly expenses, including paying the 
country's 3,000 public servants.  The Minister for Finance Nazim 
Burke told reporters that the Government's monthly expenditure 
is around US$20.7 million, but revenue has been estimated at 
US$14.4 million.  Burke described the financial situation as 
challenging adding that the government would have to rely on 
overdraft facilities in order to meet its obligations.  He also 
hinted at the introduction of a program to tighten government 
spending. 
 
Whichever party won the July 8 election, austerity measures were 
nearly inevitable.  Former Prime Minister Keith Mitchell had in 
fact hinted at this during the election campaign and warned that 
promises made by opponents would not be met as a result.  New 
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has announced that the country is 
looking for grant assistance from friendly nations. 
 
 C. Grenada to Pass New Copyright Laws 
The Registrar of the Grenada Supreme Courts announced that he 
has drafted three of fourteen new pieces of legislation, which 
must be sent to the World Intellectual Property Organization for 
review before being presented to Parliament.  The government 
hopes to have the new legislation in place by the end of the 
year.  It will protect the work of cultural, literary and other 
performing artistes.  The new Copyright Act will also cover 
several areas not addressed under existing law. 
 
End text. 
 
MCISAAC