Trinidad and Tobago diplomat leading OAS mission to observe Grenada elections

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

WASHINGTON, USA: Ambassador Corinne A. McKnight, a Trinidad and Tobago diplomat who is a former Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS), arrived in Grenada Monday to head the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for that country's November 27 general elections.

The Washington-based OAS is observing the elections, as it had in 1999, at the request of the government of Grenada. The OAS team will consist of former officials of electoral bodies in Dominica and Barbados, an expert on Grenadian electoral law from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill, Barbados) and several OAS personnel. All OAS electoral missions must obtain funding specifically for observing elections. In the case of Grenada, the Governments of Brazil and the United States have provided funds.

Among her many distinctions, Ambassador McKnight served as Ambassador to the OAS, the United States and Mexico. While in Grenada, she will meet with a wide range of government and political party representatives as well as civil society groups and other Grenadian nationals.

According to Ambassador McKnight, "Our OAS team includes highly experienced Caribbean persons who will monitor as many polling stations as possible on Election Day. We will also receive any comments or possible complaints that may arise."

She said that "in keeping with the procedure that was followed in 1999," the Mission would present a report to the Secretary General of the OAS, which might contain suggestions for further strengthening of the electoral process.

Source: Caribbean Net News