My mother used to warn me “Egg have no right in rock stone dance!”.  Ah know mi limitations!  So I am leaving the debate on the situation that the world is now witnessing in Russia and Ukraine to the bright people who know about politics, international relations, diplomacy, economics et al.    I am none the wiser on what I am not seeing but based on what I am seeing, I have to salute the courage of the real people of Ukraine who are standing up to the onslaught of Comrade Putin!  Long live!! 

And as a citizen of Grenada, I am very concerned about the implications and impact of that situation on Grenada, on “our little piece of rock”.  The Executive of Grenada has been in all sorts of secret deals of which we the people are unaware.   Sooner or later we may find out that our little rock has been divided up among Sino-Russian-Ukrainian and Middle Eastern interests courtesy the Citizenship by Investment Programme.  

Since I became aware of the International Association for Economic Development[1] and the Synergy Hi-Tech Park-Grenada Complex[2], creations of H.E. Oleg Firer[3] – Ukrainian-born (then part of the USSR) American cum Grenadian Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States[4]  and a few others – I am very, very curious and concerned.  What the hell is going in the name of Grenada?  Where/how do the  authentic  citizens of Grenada, “whose navel string bury here”,  fit into  all of these ambitious  and non-profit (!!)  initiatives?  WHO is really running things?    Is the Executive still in control?  What is Grenada’s Ambassador up to these days?  

There are two 2022 postings of particular interest on the Embassy’s website:-

• January 28^th, 2022:  Facebook[5] post of January 28^th of Embassy of Grenada to the Russian Federation:-  Government of Moscow hosted a high-level meeting with the Ambassador of Grenada to discuss co-operation between the city of Moscow and Grenada in respect of international relations between the Government of the city of Moscow and Grenada:  “Among the possible areas of cooperation discussed were smart city development, healthcare, conservation of historical and cultural buildings, tourism and cultural exchange.” (own emphasis).  These areas, prioritized for co-operation should ring a bell. 
• March 4^th, 2022:  Facebook posting of March 4^th, 2022
  This posting advises that H.E. – who is currently the  Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) in Russia –  hosted a meeting between the   Director of the Department of Latin America and the Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on relations with Latin American and Caribbean states H.E. Alexander Shchetinin and the heads of diplomatic missions of GRULAC accredited in Moscow.  The Director emphasized that “ in these challenging circumstances the commitment to expanding bilateral political, trade, economic and humanitarian ties with Latin American states overrides momentary considerations” (own emphasis).

These postings place in context a number of “happenings” and pronouncements and what we the people could expect.  There has been a number of happenings, beginning late last year and continuing at the beginning of the year.  Are these events connected in any way and if yes, then how?  But perhaps, it may be useful to start at the beginning.

1. 1979, Grenada-USSR Relations

During the period of the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG), Grenada established diplomatic relations with the USSR.  Among areas of co-operation were:- education ( a significant number of persons pursued studies in the USSR); training the top brass of the People’s Revolutionary Army and support to the construction of the international airport.  Russia also made a loan available to Grenada in respect of the construction of the airport.

The revolution imploded in October 1983 and diplomatic relations were broken off.  The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 preceded the collapse of the USSR in 1991 with former states becoming independent republics. 

• 2002, Grenada- Russian Federation Relations

In September 2002, Grenada established relations with the Russian Federation, a former republic of the USSR.

• November 2015, Russian Debt Relief, USD 266,667[6]

It would appear that following the collapse of the PRG, succeeding governments  did not service the airport loan.   As part of the restructuring of its debt under the IMF Structural Adjustment Programme of  2014-2017, Grenada negotiated with  its Paris Club creditors for debt relief.  In November 2015, it reached agreement on this debt with the  Russia Federation.

• January 6^th, 2017:  Russia Pledges Scholarships, Visa Waiver and Debt Relief for Grenada[7]

On January 4^th, 2017, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell hosted a meeting with Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Grenada, His Excellency Nikolay Smirnov.  H.E. advised that the main purpose of his visit was “to discuss bilateral issues, such as scholarships, training opportunities, debt relief, theestablishment of a Diplomatic Mission of Grenada in the Russian Federation, and the signing of anew visa waiver agreement in the not too distant future between both countries”.    H.E. suggested that it was “an opportune moment for the Government of Grenada to have a permanent diplomatic presence in Russia. He noted that diplomatic presence would enhance the relationship and position Grenada to maximise on a number of opportunities in the areas of  Education, Tourism, Health and Energy.

One can ask whether the establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission  was  one of the conditions of the debt relief to Grenada. 

• Embassy of Grenada to the Russian Federation

April 2017, Ambassador to the Russian Federation:  One, H.E. Amb. Oleg Firer[8], was appointed Grenada’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation in April 2017.  It is unclear what criteria were applied to the appointment of Amb. Firer.  Operations of  Grenada’s Embassy to the Russian Federation were  not reflected in the Budget Estimates over the period 2017-2019.  It therefore seems reasonable to ask what arrangements does/did the Government of Grenada have with Amb. Firer  and/or the government of the Russian Federation re the operation of Grenada’s Embassy in Moscow. 

Ambassador Firer seems to have “many irons in the fire”, particularly in the areas of the financial services sector and the health sector.  It is unclear where the boundaries lie in respect of H.E.’s  official role and the public interests and his full time pursuits of varied private interests.

Recently, it should be noted that a Citizenship by Investment Programme[9] is run out of the Embassy.  It is unclear who/what is/are the owner(s)/operator(s) of this business and its arrangements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Government of Grenada to operate a private business at the Embassy?

6. September 20^th, 2017:  Grenada and Russia Sign Visa Waiver Agreement and Discuss Technical Cooperation[10]

Hon. Elvin Nimrod, Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Russian counterpart H.E. Sergey Lavorv signed an agreement  to facilitate visa-free travel between Grenada and Russia.  The signing took place on the margins of the United Nations Assembly in New York.   Re technical co-operation, Minister Nimrod emphasized the significance of human resource development to Grenada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as a whole, and welcomed continued and further cooperation with Russia, particularly in building capacity in the medical field. 

5.1. June 30^th, 2017:  Russia and Grenada: the beginning of a new friendship, Excerpts of interview H.E. Oleg Firer, Ambassador of Grenada to Russian Federation et al, with International Life[11]

H.E Firer gave a very interesting interview and it is one which we the people should take careful note of.   The following excerpts are particularly noteworthy:-

• Working in Grenada for Five Years:   H.E. Firer advised that he was working in Grenada for about FIVE years.  Five years ago (from June 2017) would have been 2012. 
• Invited by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell:  He advised that he was invited by Prime Minister Mitchell.   
• Project of Telemedicine:  He advised that “five years ago WE realized a project of telemedicine, a programme of medicine for the poor in the Caribbean, linking two countries, Cuba and Grenada.  This was the background against which contact with Keith Mitchell began.
• Working on Various Projects at State Level:   He identified projects that he had been working on for the last FIVE years – medical, technological and IT projects.  He specifically noted the following:-
  • Directly Involved in Two Reforms at CARICOM Level:  He was/is directly involved in two reforms in countries of the Caribbean Community
    • Financial Payment system of the Caribbean Community;
    • Post Office of Grenada:  He further noted that “It started with Grenada” but “we want to modernize the mail system of all countries in the association”
• IT Projects:  H.E. Firer advised that  “ now WE  are considering a number of IT projects, which WE  plan to transfer to the Caribbean”:-
  • Projects of the information society, such as E-GOVERNMENT; 
  • Other projects developed in Russia, including the technological content for our postal reform;
  • IT projects in the transactional business;
  • Projects for CARICOM:  H.E. advised that in general these projects were not only about Grenada but about the Caribbean Community, noting that “from July 1^st, Grenada will chair CARICOM and many projects are reasonably discussed at the level of this organization”.
• Visa-Free Entry:  He looked forward to the signing of the visa-waiver agreement for the entry of Russian tourists for up to 90 days. 

5.1.1.    Points to Ponder

5.1.1.1. Invitation to/Working in Grenada, 2012-2017:

• Five years ago from 2017, would make H.E. working in Grenada since 2012, while Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and his NDC party were in office.    With whom was Oleg Firer working and to what end?
• He further indicated that he was invited by “Prime Minister Keith Mitchell”. However, in 2012, Dr. Mitchell would have been Leader at the Opposition at the time.
• The period 2012-2017 would also mean that H.E. was working in Grenada during the period of the Structural Adjustment Programme, July 2014 –  June 2017.

5.1.1.2. Project of Telemedicine: 

• He realized a project of “telemedicine”, a project re medicine for the poor in the Caribbean, linking Grenada and Cuba.   What does H.E. mean by linking Grenada and Cuba? They were already linked and already had a programme of co-operation in health. 
• Interestingly, to this day, we the people have not heard of this Telemedicine Project.  It is interesting to note that Grenada does have a significant number of graduates of Cuban institutions, particularly doctors, some of whom are/were high ranking public officers within the Ministry of Health.  These included the Minister of Health of the NNP administration (prior to the NDC administration, 2008 – 2013).  One of those high ranking officers was an  advisor to Star Telemedicine, an apparent private entity under H.E. family of Star Capital enterprises, and following his departure from the public service now seems to be the Chief Executive Officer.

5.1.2. Information Technology Projects

5.1.2.1. E-Government/EGRIP Project

H.E.’s reference to being involved in projects such as e-government should have we the people very uncomfortable and asking deep, hard questions.  The E-Government project to which H.E. seems to be referring  is the Electronic Government Regional Integration Project (EGRIP).    It seems reasonable to ask whether H.E. Oleg was involved in the implementation of this e-government (EGRIP) project in Grenada.   and what is the status of that project?

5.1.2.1.1. EGRIP and the Dismissal of the Supervisor of Elections

One may recall that the implementation of this project is /was at the crux of the dispute which ended in the dismissal of the Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Judy Benoit by Governor-General , Dame Cecile LaGrenade. 

• Memo of August 29^th, 2013 to Supervisor:  Via this memo from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication, Works, ICT et al, Ms. Benoit was advised that Cabinet had approved the use of a number of Parliamentary Elections Office for the registration and issuance of  multi-purpose identification cards (MPID) cards. Internet services at all sites  had also been authorized as a matter of urgency.    Cabinet also directed that staff of the Electoral Offices work   with the MPID system for the registration and issuance of the cards.
• Memo of August 30^th, 2013 from Supervisor:  In her response, the Supervisor noted that the involvement of the Parliamentary Elections Office in EGRIP was premature and could be in breach of the legislation governing the electoral process.  She also reminded of the independence of the Parliamentary Elections Office and Supervisor as provided for in the Constitution.  She also sought clarification on a number of matters and advised that the responsible Minister for the project had promised a meeting with the  Attorney-General. 
• Termination Letter of Sept. 30^th, 2013 from  GG:  Her services were terminated by the Governor-General, with effect from October 1^st, 2013. 
• Application for Judicial Review of GG’s Decision[12]:  Ms. Benoit took the matter to court, applying for the court’s leave to file Judicial Review proceedings seeking to have the court declare that the decision of the GG to dismiss her was “unreasonable, irrational, procedurally improper and in breach of the principles of natural justice: and also have the court quash the decision of the Governor-General to dismiss her”
• Update November 2021:  According to a newspaper article, the Judge Glasgow had recommended an out-of-court settlement.  The article suggested that this recommendation indicated that a court ruling could be in favour of the Supervisor who was summarily dismissed by the Governor General.  Closure has not yet been brought to this matter.
• Was Oleg Firer involved in the implementation of the EGRIP?   This questions bears repeating.

5.1.3.    Financial Payment System for CARICOM: 

• ECCB Central Bank DCash:   Is there a relationship between the financial technology piloted by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in the OECS region – the ECCB Central Bank DCash –   and the “we” referred to by H.E. Firer? 
  • It is interesting to note that upon Grenada’s Prime Minister Mitchell, becoming chair of the Eastern Caribbean Monetary Council in July 2018, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank was exploring blockchain technology.  In March 2021, the ECCB became the first central bank to issue a Central Bank-backed Digital Currency (CBDC) for a currency union with the launch of the DCash Pilot[13]. 
• Eastern Caribbean Block Chain Association[14]:  Is/was  there any relationship between the Eastern Caribbean Block Chain Association of which H.E. Firer is Chairman of the Supervisory Board and  realization of the ECCB’s DCash pilot project.  Eastern Caribbean Block Chain Association which describes itself a not-for profit educational and trade organisation dedicated to advancing blockchain technology and aims “to guide and promote the comprehensive adoption of blockchain technology so that individuals and businesses can realize the full potential of its benefits”.  It is unclear when this organisation was formed.  When we the people first became aware of this organisation sometime in mid-2018, we noted that Olinga Mitchell[15] was the contact person name.   The last time I checked, that website was nameless and faceless.  Co-incidence or deliberate?  Is there a relationship?  If yes, what kind of relationship?
• Grenada and the Grenada Postal Corporation:  The Grenada Postal Corporation is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Block Chain Association.  Who made the decision that Grenada should become a member of the ECBA?   The Grenada flag is also there.  Which entity does the flag represent? 

5.1.4.    Post Office Reform, Grenada Postal Corporation and the Eastern Caribbean Blockchain Association

5.1.4.1. Post Office Reform:

Note H.E’s . remarks in respect of postal reform – it started with Grenada” but “we want to modernize the mail system of all countries in the association”   Was H.E. Oleg Firer  involved in  “reform and restructuring”  of the Grenada Postal Corporation which was financed by World Bank loans?

5.1.4.1.1.          Reform and Restructuring:

The Grenada Postal Corporation was/is (?) a state-owned entity.   Under the IMF Structural Adjustment Programme, 2014-2017, the Government of Grenada committed to reform a number of its statutory bodies/state-owned enterprises.  A review of the Grenada Postal Corporation was undertaken via technical assistance from CARTAC[16], following which a Cabinet Committee Strategy Committee developed strategic plan for the GPC.

5.1.4.1.2.          Cabinet Committee Strategy:

The strategic plan approved by Cabinet in respect of the Grenada Postal Corporation advised as follows:- The Grenada Postal Corporation would be restructured to improve efficiency, including through the possibility of franchising by the end of 2015.  The costs of restructuring was estimated at EC$4million.  The IMF 2^nd Review Report[17]  noted that the reform strategy proposed by the government went beyond the CARTAC recommendations

5.1.4.1.3. Loan Financing for Restructuring

• The Government of Grenada acknowledged receipt of    loan financing[18] to complete the restructuring of and commercialization of the GPC.  Grenada Postal Corporation was expected to be commercialized in the first half of 2016.
• Retrenchment of Workers[19]:  According to a newspaper report, 146 workers received severance packages amounting to EC$9.0m at the end of February 2016; 96 workers were recalled to work and 50 were retrenched.
• Who Will be Taking Over:  Prime Minister Mitchell indicated that he did not know who would  be taking over the operations of the state-body while, during a radio programme, Deputy Prime Minister Elvin Nimrod advised  that an entity had been identified but declined to release the name because discussions were ongoing.

5.1.4.1.3. Amendments to the Grenada Postal Corporation(Amendment) Bill, 2016:

Amendments to the Grenada Postal Corporation legislation – Grenada Postal Corporation (Amendment Bill) 2016 –  were -passed.  The amendments are quite instructive and may be taken as an indication of the plans/actions already agreed/acted upon by the Government of Grenada.  Among the amendments were:-

•  the insertion of a new Section – Part II a – Agreements with entities and undertaking joint ventures” ;  this amendment provides for the Grenada Postal Corporation:-
  • to enter into agreements with an entity or entities, or participate in a joint venture with an entity or entities and  transfer the tangible and intangible assets of the GPC including the responsibility and authority to provide postal services and related servicesthroughout Grenada
  • No Transfer of Liability or Obligations upon Signing of Agreement[20]
• Amendment to Section 8, Board of Corporation:  The amendment to sub-section (2) provides for a “maximum of seven members and a minimum of two members”.

5.1.4.1.4.          IMF Fifth Review, December 2016[21] : 

The IMF Review noted the followingin respect of the Grenada Postal Corporation:-

• the private sector had been involved in the restructuring process;
• Staff redundancy was resolved in February 2016 – 150 workers had been retrenched and received severance; the way was paved for private participation in the operation of the postal service;
• Total severance costs was estimated at EC$7.5 m or 0.3 percent of GDP
• Greater transparency about the plans for this new entity and/or and the timing of conclusion of the deal would be desirable

5.1.4.2. Points to Ponder

• Who/what was the private sector involved in the restructuring process?
• Was H.E. Oleg Firer involved in the “reform”  of the Grenada Postal Corporation?
• Does H.E. now have business interests in the GPC via his company Net Element?
• Why has the Government of Grenada been so tight-lipped about the status of the Grenada Postal Corporation?

[1]  https://en.ia-ed.com/

[2]https://synergyhightechpark.com/

[3]  https://olegfirer.com/

[4] Independent states that were formerly part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR)

[5]https://www.facebook.com/GrenadaRU/

[6]https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.351844.6fedb21e1e

[7]https://www.nowgrenada.com/2017/01/russia-pledges-scholarships-visa-waiver-debt-relief-grenada/   

[8] Based on Wikipedia information, Mr. Oleg Firer was born in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) of Jewish parents who migrated to the USA when he was 12 years old. 

[9]  http://rvecbi.com/

[10]https://thebarnaclenews.com/grenada-russia-sign-visa-waiver-agreement-discuss-technical-cooperation/

[11]https://interaffairs.ru/news/show/17877

[12]http://thenewtoday.gd/local-news/2013/12/05/judy-benoit-takes-gg-dr-cecile-la-grenade-court/#gsc.tab=0

[13]https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/news/view/dcash-financial-institutions-endorse-eccbas-financial-and-digital-transformation-thrust

[14]http://blockchainec.org/

[15] Son of Prime Minister Mitchell, then also Minister of Finance; he was also appointed Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Finance

[16] Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center

[17] IMF Country Report No. 15/193, July 2015,  Note 4, pg 55 in Annex III. Strengthening Grenada’s State-Owned Enterprises

(SOEs) and Statutory Bodies (SBs) Pg. 53

[18] IMF Country Report No. 15/193:, July 2015, Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, Para.23, pg. 64

[19]Good news for 15 GPC workers  –  http://thenewtoday.gd/local-news/2016/03/23/good-news-15-gpc-workers/#gsc.tab=0

[20] “no duty, liability or obligation conferred or imposed on the Corporation by any law or otherwise whatsoever, and existing to  prior to the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to be conferred or imposed on an entity, entities or joint venture as the case may be ; except the duty, obligation or liability is necessary to protect the interest of the users of the postal service”

[21]   Update on the Reform of State-Owned Enterprises and Statutory Bodies :, Box 2, pg. 21 in IMF Country Report No. 16/389 , December 2016,