Media Center

Press Release


OAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH GRENADA OFFICIALS, AHEAD OF JULY 8 ELECTIONS

  June 16, 2008

Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, made an official visit to Grenada from June 12 to 14, to prepare the way for an OAS Electoral Observation Mission that will monitor the July 8 elections on the Caribbean island, at the invitation of that government.

The Assistant Secretary General’s Grenada visit was a follow-up to an earlier visit to the island by Secretary General José Miguel Insulza.

During his visit, Assistant Secretary General Ramdin held meetings with a wide cross-section of political stakeholders in Grenada. A meeting was held with the Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Nadica McIntyre, to gauge the state of preparedness of the electoral authorities and to determine whether the OAS should provide additional assistance. The Organization had provided the technical expertise of Gonzalo Ramirez to assist in the preparation of the electoral list, which was scheduled to be issued June 16.

As well, Ambassador Ramdin made courtesy calls on Governor General Daniel Williams and on Prime Minister Keith Mitchell. He also took the opportunity to meet with all the political parties to hear their concerns and suggestions and to explain in detail the role of the proposed OAS Observer Mission. One political party had raised concerns about the leadership of the Observer Mission and in the course of a long and candid meeting these concerns were resolved.

Assistant Secretary General Ramdin also met with members of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, representatives of the trade union movement, representatives of private sector organizations and the media.

The Assistant Secretary General, accompanied to all his meetings by the OAS Representative in Grenada Francis McBarnette and Wendy Martinez of the OAS Department of Political Affairs, participated on the last day of his visit in a workshop to acquaint the media with the electoral laws and other electoral issues.

Reference: E-238/08