Grenada has never participated with any type of contribution in UN peacekeeping operations. Grenada is also a member of the SIDS sharing similar concerns about environmental problems, natural disasters and economic development. Grenada made the world headlines in 1983 when a split in the governing left-wing party led to the overthrow and execution of the country's charismatic leader, Maurice Bishop, and provided the pretext for a US invasion of the islands (BBC 2006t, par. 1).
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Grenada’s participation in UN reform has been limited to speeches with regards to the importance to follow the UN Charter’s principles, issues of human rights, peace and security and others. The Hon. Keith C. Mitchell (2005), Prime Minister of Grenada, stated during the High Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly:
Since then the United Nations has been confronted with several world problems; conflicts of varying kinds, in the areas of humanitarian disasters, natural disasters and terrorism. These national and global challenges unforeseen 60 years ago are forcing us to the conclusion that new and innovative ways are required to uphold the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter. We are gathered here to take decisive action on the very important issues of development, peace and security and human rights which would affect us for a long time to come. We share the expressed view that development, human rights and peace and security are dependent on each other and we applaud initiatives taken in these areas. (2005, 3)
Perception of peacekeeping
Grenada has received humanitarian missions as a result of natural disaster caused by hurricanes. This has created the idea in their population that peace operations are only for humanitarian aid, where no soldiers are required. In the same speech, Mitchell stated:
We applaud the efforts to improve the Central Emergency Revolving Fund to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations humanitarian responses, as well as the mechanisms for the use of emergency stand-by capacity, for a timely response to humanitarian emergencies. We expect that this support to small island developing states will strengthen their ability to respond more efficiently and effectively to natural disasters and mitigate their impacts. The passage of these two hurricanes has reversed all the gains we have made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In fact it is now ‘unlikely’ that Grenada will achieve the eight goals by the year 2015. However, with further and more aggressive assistance from the International Community Grenada will continue to pursue meeting these goals as soon as possible. (Ibid., 5)
The independent constitution, effective in 1974 but suspended after the 1979 coup, was reinstated after the 1983 US invasion (Thomson 2006e, par. 1).
It provides for a governor-general appointed by the British crown and for a parliamentary government comprising independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Under this constitution, the bicameral legislature consists of a Senate of 13 members appointed by the governor-general, acting on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, and a 15-seat House of Representatives. (Ibid.)
In the case of a consensus for participating in UN peacekeeping operations, it is most likely that the prime minister must agree first as well as the leader of the opposition, due to the fact that the Senate members are appointed, not elected. The governor-general appoints as prime minister the majority leader of the House (Ibid.). The cabinet, which comprises the prime minister, four senior ministers, and four ministers of state, is the executive arm of the government and is responsible for making policy (Ibid.).
Domestic economic environment
Government policy has aimed toward sustained development of agriculture and tourism as the prime sectors of the economy, with respect to both employment and foreign exchange earnings (Ibid., par. 3). The government has not seen the need to seek employment of its citizens as peacekeepers, as other governments have done.
Military affairs
The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), numbering 650 members, provides internal defence in Grenada (Ibid., par. 5). A special service unit of 80 and a 30-member coast guard is included in this security force (Ibid.). The U.S. army and coast guard provide training and support to Grenada (Ibid.). If Grenada seeks to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, most likely the USA will be the country supporting Grenada’s participation. Also, Grenada is a member of the Regional Security System.
Foreign policy
Similar to Dominica, “the main foreign policy issues are economic development, protection against natural disaster, climate change, and others topics concerning small island states” (Ibid.). Grenada became a member of the UN on September 1974, participates in numerous international organizations and Grenada joined the OAS on May 1975 (Ibid., par. 4). Thus, Grenada does not consider peacekeeping as part of their foreign policy.
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
On September 7, 2004, the Caribbean Island of Grenada was devastated by Hurricane Ivan (Gregoire 2005, 4). Sustained wind speeds at 150 miles per hour laid waste the country's social and economic infrastructure, and left the population severely displaced, homeless and in a ravaged state of psychological trauma (Ibid.). Thus, the issue of climate change is a big priority for Grenada.
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
No record.
