PM sympathises with family of former Cab Sec, attends home service

Chasley David and Prime Minister Tillman Thomas

ST GEORGE’S, January 3, 2012 – Grenada’s Prime Minister and Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. Tillman Thomas, was among dozens of people who attended a service of praise and remembrance Monday evening in honour of the late senior public servant Marcella David, a former Cabinet Secretary.

Mrs. David, who also worked at the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School and earlier on in the private sector at the then Slinger-owned Supplies Store, died Saturday at her home in Grand Anse, St. George’s.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, well-known businessman Chasley David; as well as by sons Phillip, Paul, Patrick and Peter.

Peter David, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation and NDC General Secretary, thanked the roomful of friends, family members and colleagues – and especially the Prime Minister – for attending Monday’s home service.

He described his deceased mother as a loving person who was immensely proud of her four sons.

Grenadian Voice Editor, Leslie Pierre

Apart from Prime Minister Thomas, several other government colleagues of the Tourism Minister – the MP for the Town of St. George – were also present to sympathize with the David family. In addition, there were senior representatives of the NDC such as Chairman Kenrick Fullerton; former Chairman and now Information Minister in government, Senator Glen Noel; former executive member, Siddiqui Sylvester; and Chairman of the Town of St. George Constituency Group, Dr. Winston Thomas.

They were joined by a cross-section of people from various professions and backgrounds including Archdeacon Christian Glasgow and his wife, Deacon Eleanor Glasgow, of the Anglican Church; retired Permanent Secretary and veteran Anglican Church organizer, Pamela Steele; Grenadian Voice editor, Leslie Pierre; businessman and Chairman of the Grenada Airlift Committee, Michael McIntyre; and Permanent Secretaries Allison Miller and Arlene Buckmire-Outram.

The funeral for Mrs. David will be held Thursday, January 12, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception according to Anglican rites.

SOURCE: National Democratic Congress

Free movement through OECS set to take effect

Grenada's PM Tillman Thomas

St. George’s, January 25, 2011 (GIS) – Grenada and other member-nations of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are eliminating the need for passports to travel to and from each other’s countries.

It’s one of the outcomes of the ratification of the Revised Treaty establishing the OECS Economic Union, which permits free movement of people in the sub-region covering the Windward and Leeward Islands.

Free movement, and a range of other issues relating to the Economic Union, were discussed at the 52^nd Meeting of the OECS Authority in St. George’s on January 24.

Host Prime Minister, Grenada’s Tillman Thomas, said free movement of people throughout the OECS should take effect within a few months.

“We are setting the date of August 1^st of this year. By that date, we expect OECS citizens to be moving in and out OECS states without restrictions, once you have a driver’s licence or I.D. card,’’ Hon. Thomas told reporters at a post-meeting news conference Tuesday.

He was joined at the news conference by Montserrat’s Chief Minister, Reuben Meade, and St. Lucian Prime Minister, Stephenson King.

The leaders acknowledged security concerns associated with free movement of people. But they insisted that implementing unrestricted travel within the sub-region was necessary.

 “We have been talking about freedom of movement in the region for many years but we have not fully effected that,’’ Chief Minister Meade said. “I believe that is something that every member of the OECS would like to see happen; where you can travel from Grenada all the way up to St. Kitts without let or hindrance.’’

Prime Minister King, reflecting on the St. George’s meeting, said that “one of the most significant achievements was the determination of leaders to bring about, truly, free movement of our people throughout the region.’’

“We recognize,’’ he admitted, “the security issues; of the potential of criminals using our islands to move from one island to the other. But, notwithstanding, we also recognize the very important role that our people play in moving the sub-region forward. So we thought that it was necessary to ensure that all of the instruments necessary to provide for the free movement of people through the sub-region are put in place.’’

The St. Lucian leader also revealed that OECS nations are seeking a simplified system to the lengthy immigration forms that airline passengers are required to complete and submit on arrival at each island’s airport.

“The forms that we often have to fill out are long as one can ever imagine with questions that sometimes, I  personally believe, are irrelevant,’’ Prime Minister King said.

The hope is either to shorten the form or develop a regional database of information that would allow passengers travelling through airports to do so “without delaying the process,’’ said King.

Grenada and Australia to deepen diplomatic relations

NEW YORK, September 20, 2010 – Australia has agreed to set up a Consular Mission in Grenada.

This was among issues discussed between Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd during a meeting held on Monday in New York.

The two officials held talks on the margins of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which opened last week.

“They will assign someone to deal with diplomatic matters - someone in the capacity of an honorary consul – and this I think again is quite significant,” said Prime Minister Thomas.

He said that they discussed continued support as well as strengthened relations between Grenada and Australia in other areas.

“We discussed several matters but the matter I was keen on discussing with him (Kevin Rudd) was the continued support for the restoration of the Parliament in Grenada,” he said.

“He gave the assurance that nothing has changed”.

The Australian delegation, which also included Philip Green, Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an outline of areas of cooperation between both countries.

“We have a rock solid commitment to deliver assistance to Grenada,” said Green.

Minister Rudd also stated that Australia will look out for the interest of Grenada and other CARICOM countries, especially through the High-Level UN Secretary General panels on climate change and sustainable economic and social development.

“Australia will continue to argue for the integration of CARICOM,” said Rudd. “We look forward to taking our bilateral relationship with Grenada further,” Rudd added. He also said that Australia sees their friends in the Caribbean as important and that his government would continue working to strengthen our relationships.

Australia has committed approximately US$100 million to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009, with 25 percent already delivered. The Australians have also supported a Young Diplomats programme, academic scholarships in various subject areas and provided assistance with disaster preparedness and response and sports development.

The Grenada delegation to Monday’s bilateral meeting also included Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dessima Williams and Mr. Gerry Hopkins, Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Accompanying Minister Rudd at the meeting were Green; Peter Baxter, Director General of Australia Agency for International Development; Sally Watson, Advisor; and Caroline Millar, First Assistant Secretary and Head of UN Security Council Task Force.

Nationals in the UK to form Diaspora Consultative Committee

LONDON, UK, July 23, 2010 - Even before the Diaspora Preparatory Conference is convened in St. George’s next month, nationals in the United Kingdom have started the process of planning for the Founding Conference in 2011.

About 15 Grenadians, from various professional backgrounds, met on Thursday night in London to discuss and break ground on the Diaspora Consultative Committee.

The idea of a DCC (UK) was discussed at the Diaspora Outreach Visit in Huddersfield which was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David and High Commissioner Her Excellency Ruth Rouse.

“The DCC (UK), I would say, is now constituted and we will have our first formal meeting in mid-September following the preparatory conference at which time, we believe the way forward will be clearer,” said High Commissioner Rouse who had invited interested persons to meet for initial discussions.

The DCC (UK) is expected to provide a link to the Office of Diaspora Affairs in Grenada and hold consultations throughout the United Kingdom in the coming months, to gather the views of the UK Diaspora to feed into the decision-making process in Grenada.

The DCC (UK) is also expected to support and encourage the UK Diaspora to attend and participate in the 2011 conference and would hope to have a document produced by March of 2011, which would be expected to influence the agenda for the conference.

“The team in the UK is happy that the Government has taken such an initiative and highly commends the Foreign Minister for his foresight and determination,” she said.

Thursday’s meeting was described as very encouraging with the participants expressing their full support for the DCC (UK).

“Great meeting and lots of enthusiasm,” said Anthony Noel. “I would like to see the government work with the other parties (political) within parliament to support this initiative such that should there be a change in the result of a future election this initiative will live on.”

Nationals abroad encouraged to use influence to seek opportunities for young Grenadians at home

TORONTO, Canada, June 20, 2010 - The Grenada Government wants nationals in the Diaspora to use their influence to create opportunities for young Grenadians, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David.

Speaking at a function in Toronto on Saturday to celebrate the appointment of Grenadian-born Dr. Jean Augustine to the Order of Canada, the Grenadian Minister said that the exposure of our people to more education can empower and consolidate the foundation for a better society.

“When we were campaigning during the last election, we said that we are determined to ensure that every household in our country has at least one university graduate,” said Mr. David.

“Sister Jean, I know you have a long and proud history in education in this country and if I can beg of you one thing on behalf of our people of Grenada is that you use your influence in both public and private spheres to encourage more training opportunities for the children of Grenada to study here,” Minister David said in paying tribute to the distinguished Grenadian.

He said, as an educator herself, she will appreciate the transformative power this will have on our society.

“That ambitious goal will never be achieved without the generous assistance of the public and private sectors in countries such as Canada. By exposing our people to more education we empower them, and consolidate the foundation for a better society back home.”

The Minister told the retired politician that Grenada has embraced her individual successes and achievements as if they are its own collective success and achievement.

He said that Honourable Jean Augustine is a living testimony of the resilience and brilliance of the Grenadian spirit on which she was nurtured.

Last year she was made a Member of the Order of Canada for her distinguished career as an educator, politician and advocate for social justice in Canada.

“She has positively affected the lives of millions here in Canada as an educator, a politician and a social activist and has consistently inspired every one of us back home.

The bestowing of Canada’s highest honour on you is indeed a testimony of this great country’s gratitude for the contribution you have made to all aspect of life in this society,” he said.

Augustine migrated to Canada in 1959 at the age of 22 and worked part time and took night-school classes at the Toronto Teacher’s College. After earning her teaching degree, Augustine taught elementary school in the Toronto public school system. She eventually became one of the first black school principals in the country.

“Your singular contribution has made this country a much better place than it was when you first arrived here as a bright-eyed girl from a small village in Grenada more than a generation ago,” he said.

Mr. David added that “Your story speaks to the renewing grace and the power of enlightened immigration – a flowing well of positivity from which both the home country of the immigrant and the new society which he or she is entering can draw from.

While you came here, already nurtured with raw potential and cultured ambition, it is this country, Canada that gave you the opportunity, through its education and social services, to reach your full potential. And in time you have repaid this society a thousand times over by the contribution you made to its development.”

The audience comprised Grenada’s Consul General to Toronto and other members of the diplomatic corps, business and community leaders, as well as members of the Grenadian community in Toronto.

Proceeds will benefit the Grand Anse Child Development Centre in Grenada.

Agriculture division embarks on revitalisation

Hillsborough, Carriacou, June 16th, 2010 –The Agriculture Division within the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs continues its mission of revitalizing the agriculture sector on the sister isles.

With the coming of the rain, workers attached to the Belair Nursery have embarked on planting a variety of crops on lands adjacent to the nursery. These include corn, cabbage, sweet potato, cassava and peas.

The crop-planting should lead to an increase in the number of local produce on the market, said Benson Patrice, Head of the Agriculture Division. He added that making more crops available for sale will itself lead to greater consumption of locally produced fruits and vegetables.

In November of 2008, two persons were trained in plant propagation at the Mirabeau Agricultural Station in Grenada. The benefits of the training have included the propagation and sale now of a wider variety of plants, and elimination of farmers’ travelling to Grenada to purchase plants, resulting in cost-savings for them.

Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Senator George Prime, in complimenting the Agriculture Division for their efforts, noted that it is important for farmers and people in Carriacou generally to have access to crop varieties.

He said it’s keeping with government’s agenda to establish a thriving agriculture sector in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and to enhance the nation’s food security situation.

Strengthening ties

St. George’s, June 14, 2010 – Grenada’s attendance at recent Latin and Caribbean meetings afforded the country an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties with many friendly nations.

Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David represented Grenada at an Organisation of American States meeting in Peru, and also at a special Caribbean conference in Barbados with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

“Apart from regional issues such as security and climate change that the meetings examined,’’ said Foreign Minister David, “I also met one-on-one with Grenada’s friends such as the United States and Mexico and discussed continued cooperation between our countries.’’

Like Mr. David, Secretary of State Clinton attended both the OAS and Barbados meetings.

The Grenada Foreign Minister and Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, the Mexican Foreign Minister, held discussions in Lima, the Peruvian capital.

Grenada urges US to support Energy Security and Climate Change

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June 10, 2010 - Grenada is urging the United States to complete domestic legislative processes involving climate change and energy security during 2010 since this will significantly and positively impact on the outcomes achieved in Cancun, Mexico later this year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday that the 2010 hurricane season is predicted to be exceptionally active and such predictions underscore our sense that talks should progress toward conclusions with urgency.

He noted the challenges her administration is currently experiencing at the national level in this regard but urges dialogue and cooperation.

“The intergovernmental negotiations have begun again in full earnest for 2010, meeting now in a first substantive round in Bonn, Germany,” Mr. David told Mrs. Clinton during an informal meeting between CARICOM Foreign Ministers and the Secretary of State in Barbados.

“In the context of CARICOM and AOSIS, Grenada continues to put proposals on the table as well as to respond to the proposal of others, in ways that can move the process forward. We have been arguing that we be guided by good information, including a scientific survey on knowledge already in the public domain,” he said.

He said that these negotiations are extremely important to our survival as small island developing states.

“We want to emphasise the need for very ambitious outcomes in Cancun, outcomes that address the need to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions within a global legally binding framework, as well as to initiate the process of adapting to climate change, through provision of financing among other things. It is not one, or the other - we need to do both.”

“We also want to urge you to continue to encourage your delegation to be sensitive to the needs and concerns expressed by our countries at these negotiations and to provide support in advancing them,” said Minister David.

He said that addressing energy security and climate change together can be very supportive for our long term development, especially as we look forward to the September five-year review of the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation for the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States.

“The Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, ECPA, continues to receive our support as a place for CARICOM to work with you and USAID in support of CARICOM energy needs,” he said.

Energy and Climate Change Co-operation were among agenda items discussed with the US Secretary of State. The effect of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), Trade, the impact of the Global Financial and Economic Crisis and Health and Development Co-operation were also discussed.

Grenadian Minister calls for more engagement among youth in Diaspora

NEW YORK, June 10, 2010 - Targeting young people in the Diaspora in returning home and the need to maintain constant engagement, were among issues raised with Caribbean Tourism Ministers at a Diaspora Forum at the New York Helmsley Hotel on Wednesday.

Grenada’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Glynis Roberts, who was one of three regional ministers on the panel, said that the event provided an opportunity to continue the engagement with the Caribbean Diaspora.

“This was a useful engagement and I think we were able to dialogue on a number of issues,” Minister Roberts said in an interview following the forum.

“We also received criticisms and we have to see how best we could continue to engage the Diaspora”.

However, the Tourism Minister noted that Grenada has started the process and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David has embarked on a number of outreach visits to the Diaspora.

“I believe the approach of engaging them at various stages will help crystallise the relationship,” she said.

In reacting to a suggestion from Grenadian student Andrea Church, one of two Grenadians who were on the three-member question panel, about the involvement of youth in the Diaspora the Minister agreed that they have an important role to play.

“They (young people) are the ones who will shape our Diaspora in the next five to 10 years and we need to maintain their involvement”.

The other Caribbean Ministers who participated were Glen Beache of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Richard Sealy of Barbados while Bishop Dr. Ebony Kirkland, President/CEO of Ebony Marketing Research and Grenadian-born writer and special assistant to New York State Senate leader, John Sampson made up the panel.

Also attending were Consul General Derrick James; Minister Counsellor Michael Mitchell; Policy Advisor, Ministry of Tourism George Vincent and Grenada Board of Tourism, USA Christine Noel-Horsford.

The Diaspora Forum was part of Caribbean Week in New York, mounted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

The week of activities will culminate on Friday with the 37th annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball and Awards Presentations at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

The highlight will be awarding of Grenadian Dr. Roy Hastick who will receive the first ever CTO Diaspora Award honouree.

Dr. Hastick, an avid supporter and advocate of trade, investment and tourism to the Caribbean region, is the founder of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), a highly respected organisation which promotes economic development on behalf of Caribbean American, African American, and other small businesses.

He is being awarded for fostering both economic development and prosperity in the Caribbean American community.

“You have opened doors and given generously of your time and wisdom to help others craft their own successes and you represent what it means to be a true leader,” the CTO says in its citation.

Welcomed airlift news for Grenada

St. George’s, June 5, 2010 (GIS) – Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Glynis Roberts, has said that airline service to Grenada is moving along “nicely,’’ especially for the summer when the country will be hosting Spicemas, the annual carnival celebration.

The travel needs of would-be visitors are being met through a series of formal arrangements between government and airline officials, as well as with non-government private charters.

Air Jamaica, whose majority owners are now Caribbean Airlines, is returning to Grenada from New York after cutting the route a few months ago. It’s not a formal, negotiated arrangement with the Ministry of Tourism, and so far it appears limited to just the summer months.

“They are doing it on their own accord,’’ Minister Roberts said in reference to Air Jamaica which is proposing a schedule of four flights weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The recently announced scheduled of Air Jamaica also targets travellers to Barbados and the Grand Caymans, with the airline offering passenger concessions such as “two bags free in Lovebird Economy class,’’ a 10 percent discount for “accompanied children and senior citizens,’’ and a 15 percent discount on “personal cargo shipments for ticketed passengers.’’

The theme of Grenada’s carnival, which will be officially launched June 12, is: “We Playin’ Ah Wicked Mas.’’ It culminates August 9 and 10.

Many visitors from the United States east coast are expected to travel to Grenada on private charter with Jet Blue, the low-fare airline.

Minister Roberts said Grenada has been in discussion with Jet Blue since last October with a view to arriving at a permanent arrangement to service the Grenada market. No deal has yet been reached.

The Tourism Ministry had better success with Delta Airlines, which will be commencing flights to Grenada next month.

“We have Delta that’s coming in on July 3 with year-round service,’’ Mrs. Roberts said. “They’ll be coming twice weekly, on Wednesday and on Saturday. This augurs well for our industry not only in terms of expatriates coming back home for carnival, but also for people on the eastern seaboard who want to visit Grenada during the festival time.’’

Government is also in talks with Virgin Airlines, West Jet and Air Canada, the Minister announced. “The airlift is coming along nicely,’’ she told the Government Information Service.

The minister said the National Democratic Congress government is promoting “Community and Heritage Tourism,’’ which requires the collective efforts of all Grenadians.

“For tourism to move, our people need to take ownership,’’ said Mrs. Roberts. “We have so much that we can utilise for ourselves and share. Every Caribbean island has sea, sun and sand. We have to find what is different that can pull people to our country.’’

The Tourism Minister also noted the need for Grenada to further upgrade the quality and quantity of its room stock.

“We have to work feverishly to get our room stock in line. There’s no point you’re working to bring people into the country and all the accommodation is not up to capacity or are not to a certain standard,’’ she said.

Mrs. Roberts said a lot of work is being done to improve the tourism product, which benefits other economic sectors.

“The spill-off effects of tourism are vast and wide,’’ she said. “We have to continue working towards developing the industry and sensitising people to understand the benefits we get from tourism.’’

Grenada and Trinidad sign maritime treaty

By Lincoln Depradine

Port of Spain, April 21, 2010 – The leaders of Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have hailed the signing of a maritime treaty between the two countries as symbolic of their historical bonds of friendship.

Prime Ministers Tillman Thomas of Grenada and Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago affixed their signatures to the treaty at about 11.20 Wednesday morning in Port of Spain, the Trinidad and Tobago capital.

“Today,’’ said Prime Minister Thomas, “is testament to our shared commitment to the continued deepening of relations and cooperation between our two states.’’

Hon. Thomas said the agreement leading to the signing of the treaty is “consistent with international maritime law and conventions,’’ and is in keeping with the “mutual interest’’ of both Grenada and Trinidad.

In the case of Grenada, added Prime Minister Thomas, the stage is set “for the exploration and exploitation of our marine resources, which will be to the benefit of our people and the development of our nation.’’

One Grenadian maritime expert, who witnessed the signing ceremony, projects that Grenada could reap immediate benefits by establishing a body to manage the expected oil and natural resources deposited in the country’s waters.

He explained that once the proper infrastructure is in place, Grenada could be generating up to US$200 billion in revenue from oil and gas in less than three years time.

Prime Minister Manning called the treaty “just and equitable,’’ and described its signing as an “extremely positive development’’ for Grenada and Trinidad, and for progress in the Caribbean.

Mr. Manning referred to the historically “good neighbourliness’’ between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, and said the treaty establishes a course for a “new direction in the relations between the two countries.’’

The treaty follows a report of a Joint Boundary Commission that met in three rounds of maritime talks.

According to Prime Minister Manning, the commission’s report was “well-written and well-reasoned.’’

Wednesday’s signing ceremony was witnessed by Grenada’s Foreign Minister Hon. Peter David; Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon; Senators Chester Humphrey and Chris DeAllie of Grenada; as well as by Grenadian representatives on the Joint Boundary Commission.

They included Dr. Carlyle Mitchell, Grenada’s chief commissioner, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa and a former Director of the Economic Affairs Secretariat of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Other commissioners at the signing were Senator Arley Gill, a maritime law specialist; former Director of Lands and Survey in Grenada, Gilbert Massell; Foreign Service Officer Alva Browne; Senior Energy Officer John Auguste; and advisors – maritime specialist Anslem Clouden, and attorney Reynold Benjamin.

HAIL PETER: PETRO PRINCE OF GRENADA

by Dr. Francis Alexis

SIGNING OF THE TREATY

Tomorrow, the 21st, there will be signed in Port of Spain a Treaty delimiting maritime boundaries between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Tillman Thomas will sign for Grenada.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS NET

Presumably, the Treaty will entitle Grenada, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to exploit certain blocs of maritime space between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a forerunner to a similar treaty with Venezuela. As such, the Treaty could well, more than any other event in decades past, begin to move our national Grenadian economy into high gear. For our maritime waters between those two countries have appreciable oil and gas resources. Such resources, properly managed, can launch our economy on to a path of sustainable economic development, and keep it there long.

Meeting our own energy needs will save us spending foreign exchange. Exporting oil and gas will earn us foreign exchange. Dealings can amount, over time, to billions of dollars in net foreign exchange earnings. This will be a significant change in the economic fortunes of Grenada. This can translate into fundamental affirmative social transformation of Grenada. The signing of the Treaty is therefore momentous.

WHAT OF BLOC 21?

Of the Blocs of maritime space which came up for delimitation under the Treaty, one particularly has over the years attracted extraordinary interest. It has long been called Bloc 21. This Bloc 21 has for some time been perceived to be especially saturated with petroleum resources.

There will be much interest in the way the Treaty treats Bloc 21, whatever the name the Treaty gives it. We wait with great expectations to find out, what does the Treaty say of Bloc 21? When the Treaty becomes available to the public, the matter of its provisions generally and its disposal of Bloc 21 particularly will be reverted to by this writer.

MINISTER AND TEAM

Prime credit for reaching this positive historic milestone must go to Peter David. For it was Mr. David who, as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, in terms only of individual ministerial responsibility, led the team that blazed the trail through to this clearing. This is all the more a spectacular triumph for Peter doing so in less than 2 years as Minister.

Not that Peter David did this all by himself; of course not. He did what a savvy and confident Minister does. He assembled a formidable team, with personnel of known relevant expertise. It was indeed a team effort.

At the helm was Dr. Carl Mitchell, the experienced and able petroleum economist. The team included Reynold Benjamin, a person very knowledgeable on Grenada’s maritime oil and gas resources; Anslem Clouden, maritime law specialist; Arley Gill, properly certified in international maritime affairs; Gilbert Massell, the focussed land surveyor; and John Auguste, energy officer in the Grenada public service. No doubt Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ Cabinet also helped, with logistics, supplies and otherwise.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Perhaps Trinidad and Tobago was not particularly negative or truculent in the negotiations generally, rather reflecting the good-neighborly CARICOM spirit. Even so, NNP in 13 years failed to hammer out such a treaty. And it is beside the point that the fruits of this treaty might not reach the table for some time. Except that this undererscores how amazing it is that NNP did not settle the boundaries all those years. Better late than never.

KEEP THE TEAM INTACT

At least, the experience gained by Grenada in the engagement with Trinidad and Tobago, generally uncontentions though it might have been, will serve Grenada in good stead, going forward to the really demanding maritime boundaries negotiations with Venezuela. Chavez’s Venezuela will be a horse of a different colour from Manning’s Trinidad and Tobago, not only in language and culture , but elsewise too. Peter and his team must be kept intact for the Venezuelan round. Where possible, they should be strengthened; in whatever way appropriate.

HAIL PETER: PETRO PRINCE

The signing of the Treaty with Trinidad and Tobago should be a welcome achievement in itself, and can open up to further prospects . From here, onward goes Peter and the team forward to Venezuela in such of oil and gas for Grenada . Simon Bolivar, true liberator that he was, must be wishing Peter well. When he pulls that off we shall shout-- HAIL PETER : PETRO PRINCE OF GRENADA.

FM DAVID: GRENADA MUST RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF GRENADIANS ABROAD TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 15, 2010 – Grenada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David said that the Preparatory Conference for the Diaspora Dialogue scheduled for Grenada in August will chart the way for engaging Grenadians who are residing abroad.

The Office of Diaspora Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organised a planning conference that will lead into a Founding Conference next year and a major Homecoming in 2012.

The Minister said that the Preparatory Conference will offer an opportunity to discuss the role of the Diaspora in building partnerships between the Government, other agencies and the Diaspora communities.

Mr. David said that Grenadians must recognise the importance of our nationals abroad to our economic development and try to find an organic way to integrate them into that process.

“Just as we are doing now with trying to utilise that resource in our maritime space, we need to find a way to utilise that resource called Grenadians in the Diaspora,” the Minister said in an interview with WEE FM Radio morning host Anthony “Jericho” Greenidge on Thursday.

He said that Grenadians in the Diaspora play a significant part already by way of remittances and other forms of assistance to the country.

“We want to engage them in a more organic way. We want to have a two-way arrangement where they can see themselves as integrally involved in Grenada and Grenadians can recognise their role and the role that the Diaspora plays,” Mr. David said.

A steering committee, headed by Minister Counsellor Michael Mitchell and includes Consul General Derrick James and Press Officer Michael Bascombe, has been meeting to coordinate the various activities for the Preparatory Conference.

Meetings were held in Washington, D.C. and New York in March and a teleconference was held last weekend with the Grenada Atlanta Association.

Members of the steering committee will also be meeting with nationals in Miami on Sunday. The Minister is also expected to meet with nationals in Trinidad and Tobago, London, Toronto and Montreal in the coming weeks.

“We are going to be coordinating with Grenadians in London, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Atlanta, wherever they are and we are going to have a conference in August where we are going to be preparing for a major Founding Diaspora Conference in August, 2011 and then in 2012 for what we are calling a Homecoming which is a major celebration of Grenada,” the Foreign Minister said.

The conference, to be held at the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS), is hoping to gather about 150 individuals and representatives from Grenadian organisations in the Diaspora.

“We are going to be sitting with representatives of organisations, hopefully we are looking for about 150 and we will sit to decide how to utilise these resources. While we (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) have some ideas of what can be done we hope to involve the Diaspora themselves in developing that mechanism”.

He said that more dialogue is needed between Grenadians on the mainland and in the Diaspora and is hoping that through this year’s conference, the Founding Conference (2011) and the Homecoming (2012) a mechanism will be developed.

The Grenadian Minister said that the Foreign Ministry is inviting Grenadians, not only as individuals but as organisations, to participate in the conference to discuss what they believe is the best way forward for integrating Grenadians in the Diaspora.

“This is about reaching out to all Grenadians despite whatever their political orientation to be nationalistic in this one instance to make sure that we can develop Grenada.

And we hope, not to just have a conference sitting in a hotel room or the national stadium conference centre, but to have the Diaspora going through all of our communities,” he said.

AMBASSADOR FLETCHER ACCREDITED TO THE KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS

BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 6, 2010 – Ambassador Stephen Fletcher has been appointed as Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, following his appointment to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Ambassador Fletcher last week presented his credentials to Queen Beatrix, Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mr. Fletcher expressed Grenada’s desire to deepen the already good relations which exist between both countries.

Ambassador Fletcher, in a post accreditation interview, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter David and other Cabinet members for the confidence which they have demonstrated by adding the Kingdom of Netherlands to the number of countries to which he is accredited.

He further expressed his commitment to serve the people of Grenada to the best of his abilities in order to secure the requisite assistance to aid the development of Grenada, while providing opportunities for Grenadians to contribute towards the global community as well.

“As a small developing and vulnerable country, Grenada may not be able give financial and material resources to the international community but we have talented, well cultured and intelligent people, which if given the opportunity can make significant contributions to a better world”.

UK government could introduce visa requirement for Dominica and St. Lucia

Thursday April 1, 2010 - The British government has announced that it is considering introducing a visa requirement for visitors from Dominica and St. Lucia. 

In a statement to Parliament this week, the Labour government said the review was being undertaken as a result of the findings of a visa waiver test on seven countries in the Eastern Caribbean. 

The test determined the risk that citizens of those countries potentially posed to the UK in terms of illegal immigration, crime and security, to help decide where visitors visas may be required. The countries are Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Home Secretary Allan Johnson said the results of the test showed a strong case for introducing visa regimes for Dominica and St Lucia - though no details of shortcomings were released. 

He said Britain will now work with the two nations to ensure that they take action to address the UK's concerns during a six-month mitigation period, which started on Monday. 

No final decision will be taken until that period ends. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines will retain their visa-free status for now. 

Among former British colonies in Caricom, nationals of Jamaica and Guyana currently require visas to enter Britain. 

Last year, Trinidad and Tobago was kept visa-free after passing the six-month test period that followed London's first global review of who needs a visa to visit the UK.

Caribbean Governments Must Seriously Harness Its Diaspora

By David Jessop

CaribWorldNews, LONDON, England, Mon. Mar. 29, 2010: On or around May 6, the United Kingdom will have a general election. Its outcome is far from certain. 

The opinion polls suggest that the gap between the two main parties is narrowing in the key marginal constituencies that the opposition Conservative Party must win if it is to take government from the ruling Labour Party. 

There are also signs that the third party, the Liberal Democrats, are gaining support and that large numbers of voters disillusioned with the political class, could skew the outcome by voting for fringe parties, independent candidates or not at all. 

The consequence some believe is that Britain is heading for a hung Parliament which might result in a Conservative or Labour coalition with the Liberal Democrats, a minority government or a tiny absolute Labour or Conservative majority.

All of this may matter little to a Caribbean that is steadily diversifying its international relations and which for the most part has come to perceive it ties with Britain as significantly less special than they once were.

However, the UK still has weight and is a significant and moderating global influence. In a Caribbean context it continues to play a role in the European Union as a friend of the region; it provides significant levels of security assistance to many Caribbean nations; its Overseas Territories lock it into the region; and there is a substantial if largely dormant Caribbean Diaspora living in Britain.

If the government in London does change, there is a greater likelihood of a more sympathetic hearing from the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats, but as senior figures in both parties indicate, to be heard, the Anglophone part of the region will need to choose carefully its concerns given the UK`s many other pressing foreign policy priorities and budgetary constraints.

What this suggests is that the key for Caricom nations, if the relationship with the UK is not to go into terminal decline, is to ensure that its community is professionally organised and its activists become engaged in UK politics as for instance have others from the Indian or Pakistani Diaspora.

Interestingly, and in contrast to decades in which there was little or no Caribbean community activism at a national level, the last twelve months has seen Caricom`s Diaspora in the United Kingdom and Caribbean Governments begin to join up their concerns. The issue that has triggered this is the UK`s Air Passenger Duty, which touches the community in the UK financially, negatively affects tourism and demonstrably discriminates in favour of US over the Caribbean.

Recently there have been other developments pointing perhaps to a new and more active role for the Caribbean community in the UK. In the last weeks there have a series of community- wide political events. These include political panel meetings organised by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS); the first of a number of events to mobilise the community on Air Passenger Duty during the UK election; and the creation of Labour Friends of the Caribbean group; a development suggesting that the Labour Party has recognised it can no longer take Caribbean community votes for granted.

In the case of the JNBS events, `Question Time` style meetings had MPs and parliamentary candidates from the three main parties participate on panel s with community activists to answer questions from the Diaspora.

What emerged at these meetings - all private sector sponsored - was interesting and warrants attention by the Caribbean and British Governments and their diplomatic representatives. 

At these events there was a strong sense that there is no longer a special relationship between the UK and the Caribbean, that the UK took the Caribbean for granted and there was now a need to determine what the region and its Diaspora wanted the relationship to be. It was felt that the community needed to become more engaged in UK politics at both local and national level if its voice was to be heard and there was a need for greater representation in all of the mainstream political parties and in Parliament. 

It was clear too that beyond issues like the UK/Caribbean relationship and Air Passenger Duty, there were other often deep concerns: fears about migration policy; a sense that the UK government needed to do more to foster trade ties between community business and the region; concern about institutional racism within the British system; and an interest in finding ways to ensure community concerns were put to and heard by the main political parties. 

For years now Caribbean governments have been talking about a role for the Diaspora, with some nations regularly organising meetings at home to bring their extended community together.

But what is missing is the critical mass that can only come if such meetings, wherever they are held, leap national boundaries and lead to a manifesto that brings together the Caribbean and its community`s concerns in a manner that enables the hundreds of Caribbean national and political associations in the UK to support.

What has happened so far is encouraging but requires more focus, resource and a much clearer analysis and leadership from regional Governments.

It also requires understanding of what it takes to create groups within the UK Parliament; how they need to be supported with accurate information; how this can be linked to community cells of activists; and how it all relates to obtaining positive results. 

This is not rocket science nor is it interference in the domestic affairs of another nation. Evidence abounds as to how nations from Israel through India to Cuba have all established strong lobbies that ensure that the interests of their nation or extended community are fully taken into account. 

If the Caribbean expects to be taken seriously in London and by extension in the US and Canada it needs a co-ordinated and well delivered regional strategy for its worldwide Diaspora. 

David Jessop is the Director of the Caribbean Council and can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbean-council.org. Previous columns can be found at www.caribbean-council.org.

URBANIZA TECHNICAL TEAM TO VISIT CARRIACOU

Hillsborough, Carriacou, April 1^st, 2010- A Brazilian technical team will visit Carriacou from April 8^th to conduct a development suitability study for the proposed free port to be set up on the 13-square-mile island.

The team is from Urbaniza, the Brazilian company that has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Grenada for the port development project. The visit comes one month after the signing of the MOU.

While in Carriacou, team members will collect data on site boundaries, topography, and other physical conditions affecting the proposed site of the project at Dumfries. They will also look at the landside and waterside capacities and other factors that will determine the feasibility of Dumfries as the project site.

Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Senator George Prime, said the study and port development are important steps in the Grenada Government’s commitment to building an economy in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

A free port is an area in a country that has special customs and fiscal regime. Its purpose is promoting the industrialisation of goods and the rendering of services to foreign markets.

LAURISTON AIRPORT RUNWAY REFURBISHMENT AND TERMINAL RENOVATION TO BECOME A REALITY

Hillsborough, Carriacou, April 1st, 2010- The Government of Grenada is still embarking on plans for the refurbishment and expansion of the Lauriston Airport in Carriacou. Finance Minister Hon. Nazim Burke, in his 2010 budget presentation, announced that $950,000 was being allocated for the airport refurbishment and expansion.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ administration, through the Ministry of Works, has been in discussions with Dynamic Investment Partners and ShoreLink Services Ltd. on engaging their expertise for the project. It has now been confirmed that Dynamic Investment and Shorelink have been given permission to conduct discussions for the planning, mobilization and financing of the project. They have also been given the green light for a similar assignment for the construction of a proposed port and marina in St. Patrick. The refurbished airport in Carriacou will be named after former Prime Minister H.A. Blaize, in keeping with an election promise of the ruling National Democratic Congress.

Grenada breached obligations under the Covenant of Human Rights

31 July 2009 The Human Rights Committee concluded today its ninety-sixth session, during which it considered and adopted concluding observations and recommendations on the reports submitted by Tanzania, the Netherlands, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Chad and Azerbaijan on how those countries implement the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. During this session, it also finalized its concluding observations on the situation of civil and political rights in Grenada, which the Committee reviewed in the absence of a report on 18 July 2007, at its ninetieth session. In concluding observations on the fourth periodic review of Tanzania, the Committee welcomed the enactment of the Spinsters and Single Parent Child Protection Act of 2005 in Zanzibar, abolishing the imprisonment of unmarried women who had become pregnant, as well as the de facto moratorium on the death penalty, which has been in force since 1994. The Committee was concerned at the high number of reported incidents of mutilations and killings of persons with albinism. Other concerns included that the practice of female genital mutilation still persisted and that impunity for perpetrators prevailed and that corporal punishment was still available as part of judicial sentences and was also permitted within the education system. Following its consideration of the fourth periodic report of the Netherlands, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee welcomed, for the European part of the Netherlands, a new law that allowed for the exclusion from the home of perpetrators of domestic violence. It noted with concern, among others, the low participation of women in the labour market and the existing pay gap; the high number of euthanasia cases; and inadequate measures taken to combat child abuse. For the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the Committee recommended, respectively, that prison conditions be improved and that the duration of pre-trial detention be brought in line with the Covenant. Regarding the initial report submitted by Chad, the Committee welcomed the adoption of a law prohibiting female genital mutilation, early marriage and domestic and sexual violence. Among principal concerns was the impunity with which serious human rights violations were committed, including murder, rape, forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture, destruction of property, forced displacement and attacks against the civilian population. The continuing high level of corruption in Chad also concerned the Committee. Among recommendations, the Committee asked Chad to consider abolishing the death penalty or re-implementing the moratorium on it and that it take appropriate measures to enforce the rights of persons in custody. Having reviewed the third periodic report of Azerbaijan, the Committee welcomed, inter alia, the agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct regular visits in prisons and detention facilities and the adoption of a national programme to combat domestic violence. One of the major concerns of the Committee remained the extensive limitations to the right to freedom of expression of the media and reports of killings or beatings of journalists. The Committee also expressed concern regarding the persistence of violence against women, in particular domestic violence, and reported incidents of violation of non-refoulement of asylum-seekers. Having considered the situation of civil and political rights in Grenada in the absence of a report, the Committee regretted that Grenada had not submitted its initial report, due on 5 December 1992, which amounted to a serious breach of its obligations under the Covenant. Among positive aspects, the Committee welcomed the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in 2002. The Committee was concerned that corporal punishment, including flogging and whipping, was still administered in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Prisons Act, and the Education Act of 2002. Among recommendations, the Committee said Grenada should provide without further delay for an independent judicial review of the convictions of the 10 members of the “Grenada 17” still in detention. During the session, the Committee considered 34 communications from individuals submitted under the first Optional Protocol to the Covenant. The first Optional Protocol, for the 111 States that have ratified it, allows review by the Committee of complaints from persons alleging violations of the terms of the Covenant. In private meetings the Committee's decided that 9 communications were inadmissible, 14 Views were adopted, 2 communications were deemed admissible and consideration would be discontinued for 9 communications. The Chairperson informed the Committee that 3 new State party reports had been received this week, two of which were initial reports. The Committee also held its fifth informal meeting with States Parties, where States and Experts addressed, inter alia, the harmonization of working methods with other treaty bodies; the complementarity of the work of the Human Rights Committee with the Universal Periodic Review; and collaboration between the Committee and the Human Rights Council. The Committee also held a discussion on human rights indicators and the influence of parliamentarians on the implementation of human rights. Also during the session, the Committee considered progress reports on follow-up to its concluding observations and follow-up to the Committee's decisions on individual communications. During its next session, which will take place in Geneva from 12 to 30 October 2009, the Committee is scheduled to consider reports from Moldova, Switzerland, Croatia, Russian Federation, and Ecuador. Concluding Observations on Grenada under Review Procedure Having considered the situation of civil and political rights under the Covenant in Grenada in the absence of a report on 18 July 2007, the Committee regretted that Grenada, despite numerous reminders, had not submitted its initial report, which had been due on 5 December 1992. The Committee considered that that amounted to a serious breach of Grenada’s obligations under article 40 of the Covenant. Among positive aspects in the review, the Committee welcomed the abolition of the mandatory death penalty by Grenada in 2002. It also welcomed the adoption of the Domestic Violence Act 2001 and the Domestic Violence Summary Procedure Rules, as well as of the Child Protection Act of 1998. The Committee noted with concern that the state of emergency proclaimed in 2004 in Grenada had not been brought to the attention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Grenada should provide the Committee with more detailed information on the way it ensured that measures derogating from its obligations under the Covenant did not involve discrimination solely on the ground of race, colour, sex, language, religion and social origin. It should also establish a mechanism by which it informed other States parties to the Covenant, through the intermediary of the Secretary-General, of the rights it had derogated from in time of public emergency. Another concern was the potentially overbroad reach of the definition of terrorism under the Terrorism Act of 2003, which might extend to conduct, which, although unlawful, should not be understood as constituting terrorism. The Committee was also concerned at the seemingly mandatory nature of life imprisonment sentences for those convicted of terrorist acts. The Committee was concerned that corporal punishment, including flogging and whipping, was still administered in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Prisons Act, and the Education Act of 2002, and that the law provided for the sentencing of women and girls to solitary confinement in lieu of corporal punishment. It was also noted with concern that, despite indications that the convictions of the “Grenada 17” rested on a trial not respecting all the guarantees of the Covenant, 10 of the original “Grenada 17” remain detained, having recently been re-sentenced to 40-year terms, of which they had already served the majority. Grenada should provide without further delay for an independent judicial review of the convictions of the 10 members of the “Grenada 17” still in detention. The Committee was further concerned about information received according to which overcrowding was a serious problem in places of detention in Grenada, and about reported poor conditions of detention, as well as the fact that, under domestic law, reduction of the diet of a detainee for up to three weeks without even medical supervision might be and had been imposed as a punishment for violation of prison regulations. Other concerns included that the Criminal Code penalized same-sex sexual activities between consenting adults and that libel might be pursued in criminal courts. Members of the Committee The States parties to the Covenant elect the Committee's 18 expert members who serve in their individual capacity for four-year terms. Article 28 of the Covenant requires that "they shall be persons of high moral character and recognized competence in the field of human rights." The Committee members are: Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia); Mohammed Ayat (Morocco); Lazhari Bouzid (Algeria); Prafullachandra Natwarlal Bhagwati (India); Christine Chanet (France); Ahmed Amin Fathalla (Egypt); Yuji Iwasawa (Japan); Helen Keller (Switzerland); Rajsoomer Lallah (Mauritius); Zonke Zanele Majodina (South Africa); Iulia Antoanella Motoc (Romania); Michael O'Flaherty (Ireland); José Luis Perez Sanchez-Cerro (Perú); Rafael Rivas Posada (Colombia); Krister Thelin (Sweden); Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom); Fabian Omar Salvioli (Argentina); and Ruth Wedgwood (United States). The Committee Chairperson is Mr. Yuji Iwasawa.