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NEWSLETTER
Volume 8 Number 2
For the Week Ending 23rd February 1980
8th Year of Publication - - 235th Issue
DOMINICANS UNDER FIRE
In a national broadcast on Saturday February 16th, Prime
Minister Maurice Bishop made the accusation that "counter
revolutionaries, a tiny minority of foreign priests, have
laid careful plans to sabotage the revolution."
Mr. Bishop said a letter written by priests of the Roman
Catholic Dominican Order had come into his posession. This
letter, he said, was addressed to a member of the Order
resident in Britain and "amounts to be a request for poli-
tical help to engage in activities of a destabilising and
counter revolutionary character".
The Prime Minister read the entire letter which said,in
part, that "the great majority of the people are complete-
ly behind the Government in their aspirations to construct
a new free society independent of American and all European
influence in which they hope to discover their identity
as a people, a Caribbean people."
The letter said, "the place for christianity in this new
vision remains problematic and "there is a good deal of
atheistic indoctrination".
"Faced with this situation", the letter said, "the Bishop
and clergy are in disarray. There is an absence of any
continued -
Produced & Printed by Alister & Cynthia Hughes
P 0 Box 65, St.Georges, Grenada, Westindies
Page 2 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 23.2.80
common analysis of the situation and of a common policy of ad-
justment to it." It said also that, over the last 20 years.
there has been much talk among British Dominicans of a Christ-
ian-Marxist dialogue, and it is probable that many ritish
Dominicans are better read in modern Marxist ideology than any
member of the Peoples' Revolutionary Government (PRG),
"Grenada offers them a tiny but significant field of experi-
ment in which to test out their theories and aspirations", the
letter said, "an opportunity to preach the Gospel in a predom
-inantly Marxist oriented society while, at the same time, co-
operating and assisting in the efforts to construct a just
human society."
Chalienr-j
The letter asked that it be circulated among the Dominicans in
the hope that three or four might respond to the challenge.
"There would be little difficulty at present about their enter-
ing the country to work as Priests", the letter said, "even
though it be privately agreed among uS that their work as
Priests might be very different from that usually done in the
area. There are great opportunities to influence the situa-
tion through preaching, adult education, youth work and, per-
haps, even journalism."
In closing, the letter said that "whatever happens in Grenada
may have a profound effect on the work of the Church in the
whole area.
The Prime Minister said he had been "shocked and disgusted"
by the letter which, he said, indicated the "intention of this
handful of priests, while masquerading behind the cloak of
religion to abandon their traditional and perfectly acceptable
role of Ministers of Religion to become, instead, direct pol-
itical activists and agitators."
Mr. Bishop said he was repeating his Governments fullest com-
mitment to freedom of worship and religion which he made a
permanent standing commitment now and for ever". He guar-
continued -
Week Ending 23.2.80 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Page 3
anteed full!st continued cooperation with oth Church in education,
health care and community activities, anid aid the 'PRe has no inten-
tion of telling the Church how to conduct its religious activities.
"But, by the same token", he said,"We are not prepared to allow
the Church pr elements within theChurch to carve out a new politi-
cal role for themselves that will provide them wit,,t,t opportunity
to use their influence and.standing as religious leaders to engage
in counter revolutionary activity against the interests of our
people."
The Prime Minister said also that'he had recently received a top-
secret report from the Special Branch Department' of the Police Ser-
vice with reference to a series of publications put out by the Rom-
an Catholic Church. Mr. Bishop said the report advises that most
of these publications "are aimed at showing that the New Jewel Move
-ment and the Peoples Revolutionary Government are..Communist".
Mr. Bishop said the Special ranch reported thqt, according to its
sources, "one of whom is, a priest", it is "the deliberate intention
of these publications to distort the policies, programmes.and ob-
jectives of the NJM and PRG to make them appear as Cpmaunistic"..
The Roman Catholic Bishop of St. George's, Sydney Charles, has
prepared a reply to the Prime Minister's accusations and this is to
be read in all Roman Catholic 'Churches tomorrow (24th)'. In that
reply, Bishop Charles says the letter written by the Dominicans was
written without his knowledge and he disassociates himself and the
Grenada Church from its authorship but, having said that and having
studied the contents of the letter, he could not see that it con-
tains anything of a seditious nature.
"It is regrettable", he says, "that a letter which was meant to be
helpful to the Church and to the society in building a socialist
society which is Christian could be misconstrued by Government".
Reservations
As part of his message to be read in the Churches, Bishop Charles
will include a message from Father Gilbert Coxhead, Head of the
continued -
Page 4 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER' Week Ending 23.2.80
Dominicans in Grenada. That message says in part,
"As far, as I knol 1 alone in Grenada knew of the letter.
It was ri#t en in Trinidad The writer was determined
that his letter should be strengthened by several signa-
tures and with several others I did sign. I signed with
reservations, since I considered the proposal of Christian-
Marxist dialogue wold ot work:. But still signed because
I thought that there was a h.ange that ChristianiMariist
dialogue might imbue 6ur Grenadian Revolution with thrist-
ian principles, and thus prevent our Revolution from be-
coming an atheistic one, of the Matx-Lenin type. In short,
I, chose to sign in the hope that Socialism in Grenada would
be .Christiaq Socialism., : :
A copy o the letter was brought from Trinidad to Grenada
and a copy was handed oveo to the Poples Revolutionary
Government. I hberby state publicly th I have f orgiven
the persons who have don6 ihis to e." !" '
Bishop Charles said the Prime Minister had made insinuations
from the 'dmiiicans' letter which could be misleading, and that
rong'c6ricfusibns and im plcations had been drawn. '~' As far as
I know", Bishbp-Charles said, i and as far as the Clergy aid
ar. .
Religious in Grenada are aware, the allegations are false. I
am absolutely satisfied that no Priest or Religioqs. in Grenada
or. even outside of Grenada, on behalf of Grenada, is engaged in
destabilising activities regarding the Rqvolution,."
Bishop Charles' message refers also to the publications critici-
zed by the Prime Minister. These publications, the Bishop said
were a direct result Of decisions taken at the Roman Catholic
Church's Conference, Assembly '78", and they were in circu-
lation before the revolution of .March 13th 1979. The Bish-
op said also that he is aware that copies of these publications
were consistently sent to the Prime Minister.
.- continued '-
Week.Ending 23.2.80 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Page 5
Absurd
"To accuse our Priests of being engaged in'activities to:destabil-
ise the Revolution is also to accuse the whole Assmebly 78 of the
same", BiShop Charles message says, since it iS the Assembly that
recognizing the. need, has called for this work of educating our mem
-bers in the faith, includiAig the social dimension.. The accusa-
tion, therefore, is absurd."
NEWSLETTER has had an opportunity to examine some of the public,
tions referred to. They make. no reference to either the New Jewel
Movement. or the Peoples.' Revolutionary; Government but cover the
fields of human rights ani civic freedoms. They also give an out-
line of Marx-Leninism and issue some warnings against this philoso-
phy. In this philosophy, they say, there is' ho democracy in the
traditional full sense", there is dictatorship, "absolute and ruth-
less rule of the party bureaucrats", there is atheism which con-
siders religion a fake, a deceit, a product of an unjust society",
and "there is no room for morality as we know it."
( 1263 words')
THE DOMINICAN LETTER
i iLa.i we
Dear Jonathon, .
As tb 2 'Epglish Provincial Chapter 'approaches, we
would like to6 put. a very setiouS 'proposal' to you.
Thepolitical situation in Grenada is developing
rapidly. The island is tecOmirig politically isolated
within the English-speaking Caribbean as an object of
fear to.all other territories which, like Trinidad &
Barbados, aspire. to the ideology and life-style of the
Western Capitalist bloc.
It is also attracting a great deal of attention
in the diplomatic services of Britain and the United
States of America. Within Grenada, whatever poli-
tical ideas may be entertained by the handful of peo-
ple responsible for the PRG are becoming submerged
under a massive Cuban influence. Cuba, Angola, Ethi-
opa, Viet-Nam and Kampochea are now upbIld as -the
models of development of'a free Third World State.
Grenada was the only Caribbean state to vote with
Cuba agiiist the UN resolutiOn on the It`vasion of Af-
ganistan. A large number of young people have taken
up university scholarships in Cuba. The Government
is exercising more and` more c control over the d i ssem-
ination' of news and information. The great majority
of people are, completely behind the Government in
their aspirations to construct a new free society in-
dependent of American and all European influence in
which they hope to discover their identity as a people,
a Caribbean people. continued -
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER
The place for Christianity in this new vision;
remains problematic. There is a good deal of athe-
istic indoctrination, it is only. too easy to carica-
ture the. relegion;of the White God'as just..one more
colonial imposition which is, at best, irrelevant to
Caribbean aspirations. But, the population as a
whole remains deeply attached to Christianity aid -the
Government is trying hard .to show that it has no
quarrel with the Church.' But, the uliimite'-aim'may
well be to reduce it to a harmless and irrelevant or-
ganisation for children and old people, and towadds
this end, they are able to draw on,20 years of Cuban
experience.
Faced with this situation, the Bishop and Clergy
are in disarray. There is an absence of any common
,analysis of the situation and pf a common policy of
adjustment to it. We are out of'our depth. Over
the last 20 :years there has been iuch interest in
Marxism among the brethren in England and much talk
about a:Christian/Marxist dialogue. Many of the
brethren are probably better read in modern Marxist
ideology, than any of the Members of the PRG. Grena-
da offers them a tiny but significant field of ex-
periment in which to test out their theories and
aspirations, an opportunity to preach~ e. Gospel in
a predominantly Marxist, oriented society while, at
the same time, cooperating and assistiig in the ef-
forts tp construct a just,human society. Grenada,
therefore, poses an interesting challenge to English
Dominicans, an opportunity to put theory into pract-
ice in a very small theatre of operations.
We would like you, therefore, to circulate this
letter to all the brethren in the hope that three or
four might feel called to respond to this challedgea
and help us to discover an effective way of preach-
ing the Gospel in a Ma 3rist situation for the build-
ing up of a strong local Church and in forming a
group of Caribbean Dominicans who will live and work
in an increasingly Marxist Caribbean.
The fact that they are English and white will
certainly be against them but, for the moment, it is
no insuperable disadvantage. Their lack of know-
ledge about ,the lpcal situation of how people think
and feel., need nof ,hi rider themor long. We have
all had to learn this. There would be little diffi-
qulty at present about their entering the country
po work as Priests, even though it be privately a-
greed among us tht their work as Priests might be
very different from that usually done in the area.
There are great opportunities to influence the sitt-
uation through preaching, aduit education', youth
work and perhaps, even journalism. In fact, the
Church is planning to ,start a. newspaper.
,, imakethis appeal to you as you assemble to
further develop our plans for the future Caribbean
province, tp emerge from our different vicariates in'
the region. As we consider, the .prcbtem f what
specific contribution, if any, a future Dominican'
province might .make to ,the Church in the Caribbean,
whether there is, in fact, any room i1or an Order'
like-burs to rcake a specific contribution, the
problems of Grenada coje to mind and the ooportuni-
ties it offers.for a very Dominican kind of work.
But, -we have::no men to,begin it,. We are persuaded
;that whatever happens :in Grenada may have a profound
.effect on. the work of the Church in the whole area.
(7:84 words)
(I^
Week Ending 23.2.80
Page 6
Week Ending 23.80 THE GRANAJDA NEWSLETTER Page 7.
NO DIFFICULTY TO IMPORT RELjiGTOUS LITERATTTlS
Prime Minister Maurice Bishop has accused the Life Study Fellowship
a religious organisation of. Norton, Connecticut, US A, of attempt-
ing to make it appear that the Peoples' Revolutionary Government
has imposed financial regulations to prevent Grenadians from ob-
taining religious literature from abroad.
Broadcasting to the Nation on; February 16th, Mr. Bishop quoted a
letter which, he said, has been received by many Grenadians during
the past few weeks. The letter, from the Life Study Fellowship
said the organisation sends out literature without a subscription
price, and relies on voluntary financial support.
The letter said, however, that it is realized that 'your strict
governmental regulations. will not allow you to do.this, therefore,
it will be difficult for us to continue mailing our material.'
SIn order to avoid further problems or complications for you', the
letter said, or to have you waiting tto hear from us, :we feel we
must let you know right from the start that we cannot send mater-
ial to your country'.
Bishop said the inference that people cannot send money out of the
island for religious. literature is a complete and total lie'. He
said foreign exchange regulations in Grenada are more generous than
many other Caribbean islands, and the letter 'represents an attempt
by foreign source to.make it appear that there are governmental
regulations which prevent our people from obtaining religious mat-
erials from abroad'.
It has not been possible for NEWSLETTER to Contact anyone who re-
ceived this letter from Life Study Fellowship, but individuals who
import religious literaturee from other sources deny there is any
difficulty in sending moiy nut in payment. Booksellers :,also and
Banking sources say they don't knA-w of any rest A~4* + c n
nect ion.
( 284 words)
THE G 2 ADA NEWSLETTER We
.4. MINIATURE SUB 3AID SIGHTED :ON EAST CC'AST
4 crowd of. over 100 persons converged, on a remote east coast
,each yesterday ( 22nd) following a 'report that -a miniature sub
-marine had been seen there.
The report was made by Lucy Phillip, 19, of Pomme Rose. St.
Davids and when NEWSLETTER interviewed her, she said that, ab
-out 2,90, pm yesterday ( 22nd) she had been bathing alone at
"Bungay" beach, some 15:miles. fr-omR .t;: Georges and which is
reached by road 'through 'the-Mrlimount 'Estate
"I was standing in water up to my shoulders and had my head un-
der water when I saw something like a moving shadow coming in-
wards from; the open sea", she said, and. when,.I lifted my head,
X, saw sppethinrg rising out of the water.".; ":. ::-
Miss Phillip described what she saw as having a 10 foot long
body 1, like a:-plane"rti; with "wings" oti ea6h sid about 5 feet
Aong. The. craft as coloured grey and green and, it came to
-.r stop .c.lose t~ the. beach in about: 6 fet: of water with its-'
wings resting on top "of the water."
Mis's Phillipsaiidtwo. white men followed.by a third tame out of
a small door- n the side of the craft and came itoiheron the'
beach where she had retreated, in, feat and was putting 'on her
skirt and-bloase. i The men were all tall withtPtd curly hair "'
a.nd one, whp was bearded, appeared tO, be-.th?'leadet.,r -They wore
..horts and!jerseys., had tanks on theirxibacks and something &t .t
their sides which looked like a gun.
False Name
According tq Miss Phillip, the .men greeted'her and .asked
whether' shetwas Gemnadian.' She'gave the false name of "Joan'
Harris' and her 'addresS as Pomme Rose, St.' Diiids:. She Was
asked how things are ii Gredada, Wher" the ~ P iih Minister's '
residence is-antd Whet6ier''h3"would be scared to see deposed'
Prime Minister Gairy again.
I told them things are going well in Grenada", she said,
"that I didn't know anything-about Bishop and that I
continued -
Page 8.
Week ending ,23.2. 0 ~
Week Enditg 23.2.80 THE GRENADA NASLETTER Page 9
wouldn't be frightened to see'Gaity again b--cause I have donl him
nothing and hu has done me nothing."
Miss Phillipwho was educated at the Pomme Rose primary school said
that her fear had calmed and that she asked to be allowed to go on
to the craft to see how inside there situate". This was not al-
lowed but there was an exchange of pleasantries, she receiving a
couple of friendly pats and biing told she is very attractive and
brave. On her'part, she'told them they were handsome.
The fear revived,, however, when one of the men referred to earrings
she was wearing. They were in the form of the letter "K" and she
was asked if that stood for 'kill'. "They asked me if I was not
afraid they would kill me", she told' NEWSLETTER, but I told them
I did not think they would do that because I had done them nothing".
Miss Phillip said that, throughout their conversation with her, the
men spoke English with a foreign accent and lapsed from time to time
into a foreign language. She estimates that they were with her a-
bout 45 minutes during which time her photograph was taken and one
of the men returned to the craft to get a pencil or pen'to write
her name and address. The pencil or pu, n was handed to him by some
-one in the craft.
Return
They informed Miss Phillip, she said, that they would return on
March _5th and they told her. nt to.tellanyone of her encounter
with them. She left the beach at this stage, having seen two of
the men reenter the craft .while the third was on the beach looking
inland through binoculars.
Leaving the beach, Miss Phillip reported the incident to several
of her friends pnd to the Peoples Revolutionary Army (IA). In
addition to the crowd which went down to the beach, the PRA also
investigated but there was no sign of the men or their craft. A
full PRAalert was put into effect immediately.
"Bungay'" beach is unnamed on the official map of Grenada' tit it lies
immediately north of Requin Bay. A chart of that area shbws 3
fathoms of water at the middle of the entrance to the bay which is
approximately 800 yards wide by 600 yards deep. t
S- cnntinue,' -
Page .q,,
Well inq~rmed sources say Government is, puzzled over the signi-
ficance of the alleged incident, but that it is being taken
seriously. No official statement has been made.
(759 words)
FINAL DECISION SOON ON GRENADA'S NEW AIRPORT
Grenada's proposed international airport to be laid down at
Point Saline with Cuban assistance will be constructed in two
phases, the first providing for a runway of 7,800 feet (2,400
meters) and the second phase extending this td 9,000 feet (2,700
meters).
These were some of the statistics given by Mr, Ron Smith, Pro-
ject Manager for construction of the airport as he spoke to a,
meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on February 6th. Mr. Smith
said' the final decision as to the ailgnrmen of the ruhway had
not yet been made and the information he gave wa based on "the
position as it stood on 21st December last.
"Thedrawings foy the runway are paing.prepared in Havana", ,he
said. "We' had completed the design considerations and all this
design information left Grenada about 21st December, and it's
now being put on paper. This was completed about a week ago and
we expect that, perhaps, this Friday (8th) the'Chieqf Engineei of
the Cuban eam will bring the plans for presentation to Government
so that a final decision can be made dn the best of wo or thiee
alignmens that are under consideration."
Mr. Smith gave details of two alternative runway alignments which
were under consideration up to December 21st. Both the6e aligl:-
ments had advantages and disadvantages and he said that','since
then, a third airport alternative had been proposed. This 'al-
ternative, he thought, was the most attractive, some advantages
being that, the Point Saline lighthouse would n6t have to be re-
moved: immediately nor would the, St. George's University School
of Medicine have to,be relocated.
- continued -
Week Ending 23.2.80
Week Ending 23.2.80 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Page 11
Background
Givindg.the historical background to the 'airport, the Project Manag-
er said a runway at 'Point Saline was first proposed in 1954 by the
firm of Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners who identified 'the "
southern end of the island as the only area'for future airport de-
velopment.
In spite of this7 this. firm, commissioned to carry out detailed
studies -for Point Saline, made a proposal for a runway to be built
at Pearls at .right angles to the existing runway and the 'prevailing
wind.- "Those of us-who were involved were puzzled by and question
-ed this", he said, and ultimately werb able to identify the flaws
it contained."
Mr. Smith said that-, .inf1967j the-Canadi.an Department of Transport
made a brief..study of all airports in the area'and dismissed the
Pearls cross wind runway'as being "totally impractical".
Scott Kirkpatrick & Partners again studied the Point Saline project
in 1969 and prepared a preliminary feasibility study. This study
put forward five alternative alignments for the runway, and, in
putting forward its proposals, the firm again offered to prepare a
study on the cross-wind runway at Pearls.
This offer was accepted, said Mr. Smith, and the study was produced
in 1971 but, when it was presented it was puzzling to everyone con-
cerned. It was as if", he said, one was being told that a
place -had been found where a tennis court could be built running
from east to west and the players would be unaffected by the sun".
The Project Manager said it was eventually discovered that the wind
information .supplied to Scott Kirkpatrick & Partners was inaccur-
ate, wrong readings having been given by faulty instruments at
Pear s.
The next development was that, in 1973, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick &
with
Partners in association consultants, Economist Intelligence Unit Ltd
updated the previous studies they had done on the Point Saline pro-
ject. No action was taken on; this and, in 1,977, some German engin
-eers were commissioned by a private individual to find a site for
continued -
Pa We-k Tip-.--inr 23.2..^
a runway which would allow direct lights from Europe. Mr.
Smith sid these engineers, were mor.e.-,interested in;the Pearls
location than Point Saline as the former se-med ablesrto provide
more length, but, because: of the cross wind problems at, Pearls, ;
that area waw discarded and aa. proposal was submitted for a'Point
Saline runway.
Preliminary
Mr.. Smith said ,that, a, :the: present time, preliminary work is be-
Iing done and the barracks- accommodation for the. Cubia technicians
is beiinq erected. Preparations for the acquisition of some
lands, is being ipade and an access grod to,.the new airport is be-
ing ,surveyad.;and laid out.
Mr. Smith said it is difficult to give a costing for the new air-
port and it depends on what costs are included~,, : "The figure
could vary from pne epd of the sclle-to the other",: hesaid, ,s';
"because, for instance, O .,we take everything into account? All
the requirements for water, for the future, for the growth that
comes with the airport, the additional roads, arid telephones,
electricity ct cetera? By and large, we prepared a sort of
budgetary figure, trying to take much of this in, and it is'
thought that it will be of the order of US$60 million."
The Project Manager said the Point Saline runway in its final
phase will be classified "A" which means that it will be over
8,400 feet long. He said an understanding of the category
classification is better had in considering what is required for
an aircraft to take off with a full load of passengers and a
full load of fuel.
"The 7,800 foot strip will accommodate aircraft of the 707 cate-
gory flying to New York with one stop", he said. "The second
phase would give you New York direct and this new proposal
that we are to present to Government for consideration may of-
fer.,the possibility of direct Europe flights, and this was
something tht, the 9,000 foot strip could noti offerv,-
irt. Smith said the airport project will not provide a great
'd'i of employment, most of it bei~ in the quarrying of stone.
.eek Ending ..0 THR .ENADA -"'"Fr'ST'I Page 13
There would be however, training program ior heavy
equipdAnt operators 'ind cmechanics.
C uAb.t Assistanc:
Referring to assistance given by Cuba, Mr, Smith said
that country has undertaken to supply all the equipment
required for construction of the runway and parking apron,
all the spares for the equipment, the technicians and all
the men necessary for working t'he project' to-completion,
all dry fodstuff and other item's for the Cuban'personrnel
who work of the site, equipment for the soil mechanics
laboratory," workshop build ings and materials and equip-
mert for odfic'e and field work necessary fodk the implement
-tation of the project.
The biggest responsibility Grenada has', according'to Mr.
Smith, is that the GoVernzmbnt must provide all the c ush_
ed stone and all the hea'~ rock rquirBa for the job.
This, in. his -opinion, 'would probably cdt JUS$12 million,
excluding' the cost df equipment. Grenada is" also tO;6
.provide all fuel', oil and grease required and, he said,
"that runs into some millions of gallonsi.": '
Grenada must also bear the cost.of relocating Point Sal-
ine lighthbuse', must spply' Mlest city and water''ot
the' camp site, must provide all the asphalt needed for the
project'and lu'- t supply- ail 'th fr'sh foods m' meats vege-
tables etc. fbr the Cubans who will work 6n the project;
"As a variation to this", Mr. Smith said, I am told that
Cuba has also absolved Grenada from its responsibility in
respect of foods for the first year, even though that was
part of the agreement".
The Project Manager said that, before a final decision is
taken on the alignment of..the runway, it is difficult to
estimate costs and givea completion date... "My .Cuban
colleagues say that they think it will be about.,athree
year project", Mr. Sith said, "butI hope we can cut a
little off that."
(1266 wo6ds)
4J
3 14 TEGRENAD :,'WSLETTER Week Ending 23.2.30
ANOTrHER NEWSPAPER CLOSED DOWN
Another Grenadian newspaper has been closed down by thne Peoples
Revolutionary Government. It is the "Catholic Focus", a paper
published by the Roman Catholic Church, and the order to stop
operations came on February lith, one day after the papc:ris
first issues
Last October 13th, the "Torchlight" newspaper, was ordered! clos-
ed, by the: PRG in.cthe? interest. of "peace., order and, national
security". The paper was accused of printing "vicious lies",,
and "misinformation" and Prime Minister Bishop said his Govern-
ment would "democratise the ownership structure of 'Torchlight'.
To this end, Peoples Law Number 81, the Newspaper (Amendment)
Act, was passed on October 26th. Under, hat act, no alien
may hold shares in a Comp-iny which is th e proprietor, printerr
or publisher of, a newspaper, and no Grenadian may hold more
than 4% of sh; phares.. in such a Company,.,, The law maas-l pro-
vision for the autopanaic transfer to Gqverxment of all alien
shares and the shares of Grenadians in excess: of 4S, Provi-
sion is made also for compensation and for the resale of shares
by Government.
In a national broadcast on February 16th,,; Pime.Minister Bishop
said the lose down of "Catholic Focus" was because of a contra
-vention of. the Newspaper..(Amendment) Act. "The publication.
of that paper was illegal", he said, as it was printed by .the
Torchlight newspaper Company in defiance of Peoples' Law Number
81 which forbids a newspaper Company from publishing a news-
paper if there are' individuals in the Company who own more
than 4% of the shares".
A spokesman for the Government Information Services *id the
ban on "Catholic Focus" had come at A meeting of the Prime'Min-
ister with 'Ioman Catholi6 Bishop"Sydney Charies on Monday Feb-
ruary 13th, and Bishop Chlrles confirmed this. He said he
had been told not to publish''he pAper'iutil Government has
made public its comprehensive Policy Statemeit on the opera
tion of the mass medii. It was his understanding that
Wook' Eniding 23.2.,,"' THE GRENADA NEWSWUTTER Page 15
this statement will be pUbliShed after March 13th.
In a statement to be read in all Roman Catholic Chuiches tomorrow
(24th) Bishop Charles said neither he nor his Editorial Board was
aware that publication of "Catholic Focus" constituted a violation
of Peoples' Law, Number 81. "Rest assured", his statement says,
"the Editorial Board acted responsibly and .i good faith".
S(380 ,words)
ESTATE HIJACKED
The east coast River Antoine Estate was hijacked by a group of some
12 young men on Wednesday 13th February.
It is reported that these young men went to the estate office'car-
rying placards. They blew conch shells which attracted a large
crowd, after which they read a resolution declaring that the name
of the estate had been changed to "The Peoples' Cooperative Farm".
The keys of the buildings were taken from the Manager, Mr. Percival
Campbell, and it was announced that a committee had been appointed
to run the estate. The Manager was told that he must cooperate or
be fired.
This matter was reported to the Peoples Revolutionary Army in near-
by Grenville, following which army personnel visited the estate.
What was discussed with the young men is not known .ut later that
day Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony 'Lucky' fLernard visited
the estate and had talks with the young men
Reliab-le sources state the men expressed dissatisfaction with the
wages paid on the estate and said workers there were being exploit-
ed by the owners, members of the deGale fily. These young men,
who are not themselves employees of the estate, complained that the
owners wished to see their workers dead and, as proof of this, show
-ed a stock'0of coffins which, they said, were given by the' estate
to the families of employees wheh a death occurred. The men said
also that the Peoples' Revolutionary Government (PRG) were not con-
cerned with their grievances.
- continued -
'* f^ .
--
P.y ; 16 Tr:. '3RENADA E -: LETTER Wo--k Enci -23.2 .~80
Further talks were held the following day (14th) whkn Deputy,
Commissioner Bernard returned to the estate accompanied by two
members of the Peoples' Revolutionary Government, Messrs Vincent
Noel and Caldwell Taylor. Mr. Noel is Minister for Home Affairs
and President of both the Bank & General Workers Union and the
Commercial & Industrial Workers Union. Mr. Tayl'or is President
of the Agricultural & General Workers Union.
These talks did not succeed in having the estate handed back to
the owners. On Saturday 16th, however, the keys were given up
but, since then, a committee of 4 appointed by the young men to
run the estate has been in attendance at the estate's office.
It is reported that this committee is comprised of 2 workers
from the estate and 4 of the,young men-,who hijacked the estate.
It is reported also that this committee has not attempted to in-
tarcre with the m.nmagoment mf tho ostatc but that there is
growing tension as the Manager, Mr. Campbell, has not attended
any committee meetings which he has been instructed by them to
do.
A Government Information Service release of February 18thg
states that two PRG members had made it clear to the hijackers
that while the P RG fully supported the rights of workers to
decent living aid working conditions, the Pk' could not and would
not support the seizure of people's property as a means of re-
solving the conditions of hardship of the workers."
"The PRG members pledged that the Government and the Agricultur-
el & General Workers Union, which represents the workers, would
seek to work closely with the workers in resolving their genuine
problems", the releaseo said.' "They emphasized, however, the
PRG's opposition to the seizure of thie people's property".
To date ( 23$r), the committee continues on the estate's, prem-
ises and the matter has not been resolved.
(554 words)
-"*
Week Ending 23.2.80 -- THE GRENADA NEWSIcl- ER Page .2.?:
ROTARY PR3Si TS DENTAL CL.TNIC.
The'Grenada-East Rotary Club has turned over to the Government of
Grenada a complete dental clinic which was made available by the
Rotary Club of Scarborough Bluffs, Toronto, Canada.
The handing over ceremony was performed on February 23rd by Mr.Paul
Kent, President of the Grenada-East Club, and he told NEWSLETTER
That the clinic is valued at over Can$20 thousand.
The clinic is located at the Government Medical Centre at Grand
Bras, St. Andrews but Mr. Kent said that, originally, it had been
intended that it would be operated at another location by the-Club.
With the up-grading of the Medical Centre by the Peoples' Revolu-
tionary Government, however, the Club decided to offer thr; clinic
for location at that Centre.
Thy Grenada-East Rotary Club which is twinned with the Rotary Club
of Scarborough Bluffs, received its Charter on 3istiOotober"1978
and its membership is now 24. The Dentai Clinic, which is the on-
ly such facility on the island's east coast, is not the first con-
tribution the Club has made :t the community. Others have been
gifts of equipment to homes for the aged and medical supplies to
the east coast Princess Alice Hospital.
The equipment for the Dental Clinic was flow fkom Toronto to Bar-
bados by Wardair on a no-charge basis and Liat gave the same facil-
ity between Barbados and Grenada.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Norris Bain, received the Dental Clinic
from the Club on behalf of Government.
( 240 words)
CHAMBER & PRG TO MEET MONTHLY
The Grenada Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance & Trade
have decided to hold monthly meetings to discuss matters of mutual
interest.
This was 'disclosed by the Chamber's President, Mr. Geoffrey Thoapson
at a Chamber meeting on February 6th, and Mr. Thompson said 'the
continued' -
0
Pane 18 THE GRNADA. NWB TjRER R Week Ending !,.2.80
decision was taken last: December t' .a.eeting' of .representatives
of the, Chamber with the ,Pr;me Minister,, the Milnister of Finance
& Trade Mr. Bernard Coard, and the Minister of Communications,
Works & Labour, Mr. Selwyn Strachan.
"-It was decided that a regular forum between the Ministry and
the Chamber would a useful exercise", he said, "in that it
would assist in preventing issues reaching crisis proportions
by Communication between both bodies prior to the introduction
of any startling legislation."
Mr. Thompson .said the first meeting was held in January with
Mr. Coard and the,Minister's Permanent Secretary and his Econo-
mic Advisor.had been, present. .Many-:matters were discussed
and Mr. Thompson gave some details.
FiXst on the ,Pres iden!; s list was Ports & Harbours and he said
the meeting with-the Minister discussed the problems ,of pilfer-
age on the docks. and.inadequate equipment for use on the docks.
In connection with the first, Mr. Thompson said there had been
serious complaints by the .Insurance Companies and, with the sec-
ond, he said that, of 8 fork-lifts available, only 2 were ser-
viceable.
Witt,reference to pilferage, Mr.. board had outlined steps which.
were being taken to improve security on the docks and Mr. Thomp-
son said recent reports indicated an improvement in the situa-
tion. Concerning equipment, two new fork-lifts have been
ordered, spare parts have been ordered for the inoperative mach-
ines and a maintenance training programme is to be introduced
for the Pier staff.
Improvement
Mr. Thompson said delay in payment of claims by the Treasury
Department to the Commercial Community was another matter dis-
cussed. The Chamber was told by Mr. Coard that an attempt
has been made to rationalise Government's accounting and pay-
ment procedures and that improvements in the system could be
-anticipated., Mr..Thompson said the,December performance was;
nqc as good-a~ was anticipated but, since then, there has been
improvement.: ; continued -
Week ending 23;2.8 THE GRENADA NEWSLETR Page 1
Ihe meeting discussed the island ,s proposed ixiitFrnational airport
and Mr. Thompson said Government's preoccupation now, apart from
the construction of tiu! airport, is in providing adequate accomo-
dation on the basis of local-private, local-public and external-
private participation.
"The ground services at the airport, we were told, will be the re-
sponsibility of the Gvetrnment", the Chamber President said, "and
there has, as yet been no determination on ancillary services such
as duty-free concessions, restaurants, catering, book-shops and
that sort of airport business." ..
Mr; Thompson said st'rorg representation was made that these ser-
vices should be left to the private sector to operate and a Govern
-ment .committee will consider these matters sometime before the end
of 'March.
The Chamber's meeting wi-h Mr. Coard also discussed expansion of
the infrastructure, the energy problem, the extension of the elec-
tricity service and the proposed low-cost housing scheme.
... Water
Mr. Coard told the Chamber that, during,1980, an additional
900,000 gallons of water per day is expected to be-.delivered to
the St. George's area. The European Development Fund has given
EC$5 million to assist in the repair of the Eastern main road and
the'Caribbean Development Bank hat been requested to provide EC$5
million for extension of the electricity service. "Concerning
the low-cost,,housing scheme, the Chamber was advised that, as.far
as 'possible, purchases of materials will be made locally and local
contractors will be employed on the project.
The Minister told the Chamber that active attention is now being
given to determining Grenada's legal "economic zone" and, when this
is resolved, the Government will be in a position to accept one of
,the many offers whiph have been made with regard to exploration
and ,extraction of petroleum deposits.
Mr. Thompson said the ,Minister of Finance said that his Ministry
was being reorg nised and, when this was completed, it was hoped
that a budget for the island for 1980 would be Dresented during
March or April w ( 67 words)
THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER
Week Ending 23.2.80
----- -- -- -.-- ---- ; .
--DETAINEES '
On the 1st of February, there were 79 persons being heid at
Richmond Hill Prisons as political prisoners. Of these, 3t
were detained in March, 1 in April, 4 in July, 1 in August, 16
in October, and 22 in December.
The following are the names of these political prisoners with
the dates on which they were admitted to Richmond Hill Prisons:-
Goselyn Jones
John Thomas
Eric Charles
James DuBois
Godwin Charles
Winst.on Cour tney
James Modeste
Rupert Jap al :
Twist leton Patterson
Benedict George
Jerome Romain ,
Herbert Alexis UAe;
Albert Forsyth
Albert Abr aham
Adonis Francis
Norman DeSouza
Chrysler Thomas
Clinty Samuel
Cletus Paul
Tannil dlarke
Tarrence- Jones
Clptus James
Dalton Pope
Michael Frank
Francis, Jones
Kenny Lalsingh
Dominic Regis
James Henry
Malcolm Baptiste
Aird Ventou '
Lester DeSouza
Stanley Cyrus
Johnny Madrid
Neville Rennie
Winston Whyte
Edmund Gilbert' f
Denzil Celestine .
17..12.79
17.12.79
17.12.79
17.12.79
17.12.79i
18.12 79
18.12.79
18.12.79
18.12.79
18.12.79
18.12 ,Z9
13.3,79
13.3.79
133.379
13.3.79
14.33.79
13.3.79
25.3.79
25.3.79
30.7.91
13.3.79:
15.10.79
15.10.79
15.10.79
15.10.79
14. 3.79
30., 7.79
14.10.79
13. 3.79
21. 3.79
15.10.79
15. 3.79
17.10.79
Michael Rodney
Lennox, Scott
Joseph Peters
Jenson Otway
Conary..Paryag
Wayne Lett
Steven Cuffie
"Matthew Antoine
Wilton DeRaveniere
James Bowen
Her bqx t. ,Pr eaidh omme
George Donovan
Oliver Raeburn
L'loyd St. Louis
Osbert James
Raymond DeSou a'
:Abraham Joseph
Kingston Baptiste
Ashley Church
Donnally Patrick
, .Noble, Phillip
Steadman Patrick
Godwin Benjamin
SAntonnio IAngeon
Teddy Victor
Leslie Phillip
Hayes James
Ricky Baptiste
Norton- Noel
David Comansingh
Rasta Nang Napg
Raymond Fraser
Dennis Rush
Anthony Mitchell
Aldon Allridge
GabrielL algee
Barry Joseph
17.12.79
17.12.79
17.12,79
18.12.79
18.12.79
18.12.79
18.12.79
1.6,12.79
18.12.79
13,3.79
13.3.79
14.3.79 '
15.3.79
15.3.79
13.3.79
13...3.79,
14.3.79
13.3.70
23 3.79'
25.3.79
25.3.79
17.3.79
15. .79
14. 10.79
15.10.79
15. 10 .79
15.10.79
5.4.79
,14.10.79
13. 3.79
17. 3'379
,14.10 79
23. 3.79
.24:12.79
28.10.79
I
- continued-
Week Inding 23.1.80 THE GRENAAi.PFSWBTtR T Page 21 ,
Mathias Belfon 15,4 0.79 :;Anr Al xnJndr 31. 7.79
D-phne Baptiste 4. 7.79. Dudley Passo,- ""'13."3.79
James Antoine 14.10.79
.COCOA ASSOCIATION BOARD REPORTS
Sales of Grinarda's cocoa crop for the year ended 30th September
1979 were just over 3% higher in weight than for the previous year,
but the value increased by over 50%.
This is disclosed by figures released by.the Grenada Cocoa Associa-
tion, the sole exporting agency for the island's crop, and the Re-
port of. the Board of Directors says these figures "are a trie in-
dicator of increased world market prices enjoyed and good marketing
by the Board of Directors."
Interviewed on February 15th, Mr. Lyden Ramdhanny chairman of the
Board, fold NEWSLETTER that the year ended 30th September last-had
been "fantastic". Our gross sales for 1979 weresome :C$27.3,
million as compared with 8C$18 million in 1978", he said, and
whd this is compared on a .per-pound basis, that, gives a gross
figure of EC$5.07 a pound in 1979 compared with EC$3;47,,per .pound
in 1978."
According to the Report of the Board of Directors, however., the.
high world market prices which brought about this favourable Situa
ition 'will be short-lived and already, "because of an excess of
cocoa on the market from cocoa producing countries, the current
prices are somewhat depressed".
During 1979, the average FOB price received for Grenada cocoa was
BC$5.07 per pound as compared with BC$3.47 in the previous year,
but, because of an anticipated glut, the Board anticipates that
world prices will fall by some 30% to 40%.
The books of the Cocoa Association are audited by Messrs Coppers
& Lybr.indr, and these Auditors report that, because of a breakdown
in accounting and internal control procedures and in the mainten
-ance of accounting records during the year, they were unable to
obtain all the information and explanations required.
continued on page 23 -
S Week Ending 3~,2 ,.0,
THE GRENADA COCOA ASSOCAATIQN
STATEMENT OF TRADING AND PROFIT AND LOSS
.FOR THE YE "ENDPD 30TH SEPTEMR 1979
1979
Weight
(1bs)
Sales 5,382,6' 7
Cost. of .Sales: -
In'ent:.:ry 1.10.78
Deliveries ,by
Producers
Deduct:-
Shrinkage &
shortages
Inventory 30.9.79
r.aoss.. Profit
124,126
5i783,633
5,912,759
240,158
5,672,601
289,934
5,382,667:
Value
27,.318,780
452,373"
7,239,168
7,691,481
1,075,924
6,615,557
20,703 223
197 3
Weight Valu
(Ibs) (
5,203,200 18,039,941
84,839
S3701207
;5,455,046
127,720
5,327,326
124 126
5,203,200
89,500
6,211,676
6,301,176
452,373
.5,848.803.
12,191,138
Selling, General &
Administrative Expenses
Salaries & Wages
Cbmiissio6n agents & ,brokers
Loss on Fire Insurance claim
Ekportierjs expenses
Travelling Expenses
Telephones: & Cables
Stamps & Stationery
Renit
Insurance
Electricity & :Fu.l
Advertising & Printing
Legal & Professionak Fees'
Audit Fee
Cess
Curing Fee
Export Duty
Freight
Claims (1978 provision written
back)
Bags
Exchange Fluctuation
Spraying (pest control)
Maintenance : (equipment &
buildings)
Surplus Expenses written back
Interest & Bank Charges
Miscellaneous
Fertilizer Expenses
Cash Shortage ( Mt. Home)
Deferred Expenses written off
Depreciation Machinery &
Equipment
Fermentary Equipment
Accounting Machine
Furniture & Equipment
1
529,140
846 ,310
19,323
146,455
54,805
11i 259
35,838
.* :. ,2.5 i:
57,229
53,634
419
11,819
8,500
107,284
212,255
5,135,169
'33,514
10,175
34,899
;1 30,126
727,371
185,222
68,689
39,863
56,410
10,841
25,426
4,548
27,300
6,681
14,558
3,657,932
Abt Operating Income
356,052
610 263
155 ,676,
19,175
6,639.
15,662
3,900
6,084
5,714
1,693
&8400
7,500
102 ,144
255,477
3,378,218
S27,61.9.
(190,500)
28,291
(48,803)
644,788
45,428
(30,000 )
74,737
17,863
23,591
2,920
3,221
5,671,752
EC6 .519.386
THE ggi^A.MNW&la;B R
Page, 22 -.
EC$12,045.291
Week Ending23 .2.0 THE GRENADA ELE PagW7-
The Auditors report, for inistan,' that--they were unable to obtain
confirmation of, n;,lances amounting ,to EC$105,202 and
EC$96,907. du by exporters relating respectively. ,to the Cocoa .Years
1977 and 1979. Exporters hold stocks and make.shipments ;o behalf
of the Association and, for the Cocoa Year 1977, the Auditors re-
ported originally there was an unaccounted shortage of 2C$106,400
in the stocks of two exporters.
The :then Chairman,, Sir William Branch, said one of,,these exporters
had paid for his short-ag.e and arising from that, it ,must bc pre-
sumed that the shortage now reported, EC$105,,,290, relates to the
other exporter. Messrs Coopers & Lybrand state they have been un
-able to satisfy themselves as to the collectability of this amount
and of the further shortage of EC$96,907 in exporters stocks at the
end of the 1979 Cocoa Year.
The Auditors state .also that, with reference to the Fertilizer
Scheme, the total of the balances due:to be paid by individual pro-
ducers is approximately EC$89,000 less than the total of ....
EC$1,281,694 appearing in the Control Account. This is a problem
dating back to the 1977 Cocoa Year but there is now a change in the
amount of the reported difference with the Control Account. For
the 1977 Cocoa Year, the difference reported was approximately
EC$173,233 as compared with EC$89,000 for the 1979 Cocoa Year.
Mr. Ramdhanny told NEWSLETTER that, with reference to the short-
ages in Exporters' stocks, the matter is to go to arbitration and
he hoped it would be cleared up soon. Referring to the differ-
ences in the balances relating to the Fertilizer Scheme, this had
not yet been cleared up. He said the present Board inherited
this problem when it took office in April 1979. A new accounting
system is to be introduced and the Chairman did not think this
problem will arise again.
( 603 words )
Ss*1 '
Page 24 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week Ending 23.2.80
7 1 7 .11.-7 T71" 'I 7r
f .R STAKES PONATION.IO DOMINICA
C-ubtiis' Amas*ad4or' V6 'Grenada:, -5hor Julian Torres Rizo, visited-
bominic'a onn Februaryl fth oi behalf of a special ;committee which
.wo se't U~ la" t 'ASeptembef .'thdi NinAlignaedC Gnferend' in HaV-
aria a Cuba.
Senor Torres told NEWSLETTER this committee had been charged
with looking into the possibility of extending aid to Dominica
fddll6wing d'Hricae '"David'", and :ihf this 'connection: he had .met1
Prime Ministei Olivei Setaphin and had presented him with thee
sum of Cadi$l,426',;05,47.
"The countries that presented donations are the Arab Republic
of Syria, the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of Sri Lanka, the
Republic of San Marino, and the Socialist Republic of Lybia",
Senor Torres said. As you know, the devastation in Dominica
was considerable and we hope'these donatiomstwill help ini-the
effortiof reconstruction ,of that country". '-
Senor Torres said the special committee had been comprised of
Cuba ( in that country's capacity as Chairman of the Non-Align-
ed Conference), Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada.
('162 words)
NEWS SHORTS
Local Timber Soon
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that local timber
will be on the market by the end of February. A portable saw
mill has been imported and it is estimated that its annual
revenue will be approximately EC$3 million. The mill is to be
located in the Grand Etang'forest and will be operated by an
engineer assigned by the United States Peace Corps.
(.64 words)-
Flour by March 31st
Ihe flour mill, now being constructed by Messrs Caribbean Agro
Industries Ltd. which is a -oint venture of the local firm of
Geo. F. Huggins & Co. Ltd. and the Continental Milling Corpor-
continued -
Week inding 23. 2-80--' THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Page 25-
ation of the USA, is exp:eted to be in prtb.octi-on" by the end of
March.
This has been discloscJ by the Government Information Services i
which states that the mill wil1 produce 30 tons of flour daily.:
Daily. lp9al consumption is said to be 20 tons.
(77 words)
Venezuelan Technical Team Visits
A technical mission from Venezuela arrived in Grenada on February
13th for a three-day visit. The mission, comprised of technicians
from the Ministry of Petroleum & Mines, road construction experts
and experts on airport equipment and maintenance, was expected to
hold discussions relative to assistance for road repairs, repair
and replacement of equipment at Pearls Airport, and adequate sup-
plies: offuel for the-p proposed international airport.
(66 words)
Young Pioneers. Laurnhed
A "Young Pioneer Group" was established in the St. Andrew's Parish
during January. The Group, which was launched by the Secretary of
Information, Mr Caldwell Taylor, has a membership of people be-
tween the ages of 9 and 15 and, according to a spokesman for the
Group, reported by the Government Information Services, the main
purpose behind the formation was that of "supporting and defending
the Grenada revolution." -
(67 words)
Law of Sea Conference Expresses Concern
Delegates ,to the Law of the Sea Conference which was held in ,St.
Kitts during 1st -and 2nd. February expressed concern over the in-
trusion of foreign fishing vessels into Caribbean waters. The Con-
ference made recomnmendattionp to the Standing Committee of CARICOM
Ministers ,responsible for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Ashley Taylor, L.gal Advisor to the Ministry of External Af-
fairs, represented Grenada at this Conference which was attended
by 10 regional Governments.
(69 words)
Page 26 THE GRENADA NEWSLETTER Week EnJing 23.2.80
Mission Heads to Return for Festival
Grenada's Heads of Missions abroad are expected to return to
the island for the Festival of the Revolution scheduled for
Isi to i3th March. They are Mr. Fennis Augustine, London, Mt.
Jimmy Emmanuel, New York, Mrs. :Jennifet Hosten-Craig, Ottawa
Miss Dessima Williams, Washington and Mr. Ridhard Jacobsj Hava-
na.
( 48 words )
Grenada Businessmen Visit Cuba
Seven Grehada businessmicn including Chamber of C, rerce Presid-
ent of Messrs.-Renwick. Thompson & Co. Ltd. visited Caba from
13th to 21st February with a view to promoting business between
the two countries.
Others in the; group were Messrs Richa q::M~nezes and Clyde Hay
wood of Messrs Geo. F. Huggins & Co. Ltd., Mr. C.K. Sylvester
of Messrs Independence Agencies Ltd., Mr. Zaid Jaleel of Messrs
Motor Sales & Service Co. Ltd., Mr. Angus MLinea. of Messrs Bry-
den & Minors Ltd. and Mr. Lyle Bullen of Messrs Vena Bu le,' s.
Sons Ltd. in the sister island of Cartiacou.
Mr. Bullen is a member of; the Peoples .Revolutionary Goverpment
.,nd is Secretary for Carriacpu Affairs.
(116 words)
Workers -To Share Profits
Workers on Government owned firims are to be given a monthly re-
port of the profits and expenses of the farm at which they are
employed'and will receive a'share of the 'annual profits., This
was announced 'bh" Minister for Agriculture, Tourism &.Fisheries,
Mr. Unison Whiteman; as he -ddiessed the workers at Gbvernment
owed Carriere Estate on Febrtiry'13th. .According to' a Gov.
eminent Information Service release, this policy is in keeping
with Government's commitment to sharing.
( 77 words )
Week'cE- ..4ig_ .33 ..P '. ;: TH-E lBN __EW_-M_'R Page..27_.
Processing Plant to Open In March
A plant to process local fruit is' to be opened by Government at
True Blue early in March to coincide wth the Festival of the Revo-
lution'. 'The plant, which will employ 2'Grenadians, is'expected
to meet local d1~aind and produce' for the export market.
( 45 words ')
EDF Aid For Grenada
Agreement was reached early in February with the European Develop-
ment Fund (EDF) for loans of BC$12.5 million at 2% interest to fin-
ance various projects in the state of Grenada over the next 5
years.. ,
Talking to the Government Information Services, Minister of Finance
Bernard Coard said these loans will finance expansion of Grenada's
electricity services, a survey of hydro power potential and the
possibilities for oil exploration.
Mr. Coard said that, when a survey is conducted mid-way through the
5-year agreement period, the loan couldbe Increased by a further
EC$2 million if the projects are assessed favourably. The Minister
of Finance said Grenada stood to benefit also from negotiations now
Being conducted with Ihe EDF for EC$7 million for regional projects
:in the fields of health care, agriculture and agrQindustr,4es.
(134 words )
Sites Cleared For Housing Project. ..
Sites have been cleared at Bonaire, St. Marks; Plains, St.: Patricks
and True Blue, St. Georges for Government's low-income housing pro
!-ject financed by loans from three foreign banks and the Organisa-
tion of- Petroleum Exporting Countries.
iThis project will cost EC$4 million and is part of a EC$7 million
housing and house repair programme launched by the Peoples Revolu-
Itionary Government last December.
( 61 words )
4u
Page 28, THE GR gn -tA Week endingg 23...J ,
j.naepeneence .oumeraeag
The 6th anniversary of Grenada's attainment of independence from
aritain ias, celebrated on, February.$h. .Celebrations centered.
principally on a "Freedom Walk" from Leapers Hill at Sauteurs.,
:,
St. Patricks .n the north to True Blue, St. Georges ,n the,
south:.
Leapers Hill is the site at which;, in 1651, forty Caribs jumped
into the sea rather than be massacred by the French colonists.
t True Blue was located the barracks of the Grenada Defence
Force which were successfully attacked by revolutionaries of
the New Jewel Movement on March 13th 1979.
( 90 words)
!I ADDITION TO NEWSLETTER'S FAMILY
i' I.WSLETTER is happy to record the birth in Trinidad .
Yesterday (22nd) of Dion Modeen Mohammed second sou
f of Shafeek Mohammed and Christine Mohamnmed nee Hughes, ,
"'-The bieth was within the firsi minute fc 'the day and" LT
sthe
S dIai-'-t ime w 6'ibs L3'ozs. '''This fs the"" r,
Second child born.to the Moha"meds. Li
seod ::..
SDiun Mohammed is the third grandchild of Alister and ":
piCynthia .Hghes, producers and printers of they GRENADA
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Alister Hughes
23rd February 1980
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