GRENADA BASIC FACTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R001502590069-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 69
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/01/29: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502590069-8
1410.29 Oct. #3182P (PPC)
GRENADA BASIC FACTS
What. we are doing: Responding to an urgent and formal request from the
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States [OECS], six Caribbean States
and the United States joined in a collective action to restore peace and
public order in Grenada. Elements of the combined force landed on
Grenada early on October 25.
Collapse of governmental institutions in Grenada: On October 19,
Grenada's Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, and several Cabinet members
and labor leaders were brutally murdered. by a handful of their former
military associates. The physical elimination of most of the Government
of Grenada was followed by announcement of a "Revolutionary Military
.Council" [RMC] and rumors that remaining government members had been
murdered. The only visible act of "authority" was the imposition of a
shoot-on-sight curfew.
Why Caribbean States and US Acted: The Eastern Caribbean states saw the
violence and the disintegration of political institutions in Grenada as
an unprecedented threat to peace and security of the region. With 800 -
1000 US citizens to protect, we shared their concerns. Inaction would
have increased the dangers of the crisis in Grenada.
What Caribbean States are in the Collective Security Force: The force
includes contingents from Jamaica and Barbados plus four OECS member
states: Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
Objectives: The objectives of the collective security force are clear;
to restore peace, order and respect for human rights; to evacuate those
who wish to leave; to help the Grenad.ians re-establish governmental
institutions; and to withdraw from the island as soon as possible.
Legal authority: The OECS acted pursuant to collective security provi-
sions of the 1981 OECS Treaty of Establishment. The OECS states are not
party to the Rio Treaty; the OECS Treaty is in effect their regional
equivalent, and is consistent- with the purposes and principles of UN and
OAS Charters. U.S. participation. is also justified by the need to pro-
tect U.S. nationals. U.S. actions have been consistent with the
consultation and reporting provisions of the War Powers Resolution-
Duration: U.S. troops will stay the minimum time necessary to help the
Caribbean states to restore peace and help the people of Grenada
reestablish functioning governmental institutions.
Diplomatic activity: An emergency meeting of the OAS Permanent Council
was requested by the Eastern Caribbean countries. The UN Secretary
General and.President of the Security Council have been informed.
The OECS: Founded in 1981 to enhance regional cooperation, OECS members
are Grenada, Antigua-Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St.
Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Approved For Release 2008/01/29: CIA-RDP85M00364RO01502590069-8