ST.GEORGE’S, TUESDAY JANUARY 6TH, 2009_Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has committed his government to strengthening the relationship between Grenada and the United States. The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Peter David, made the commitment Tuesday, during a farewell visit to his office by outgoing United Stated Ambassador to Grenada and the Eastern Caribbean, Mary Ourisman. The Ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Missions at the Embassy of the United States of America in Barbados, D. Brent Hardt and Charge D’ Affairs at the United States Embassy in Grenada, Karen Jo McIsaac. Amid pleasantries, the officials discussed several areas of cooperation, including security, drug interdiction, training and agriculture, specific to the possibility of a restoration in the export of Golden Apples to the United States market. “We cherish the relationship with the United States. Grenada has benefited substantially especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. We have shared values in democracy and respect for our institutions and we want that to continue,” the Prime Minister told the outgoing US Ambassador. “Grenada is willing and ready to engage on security issues”, the Prime Minister said, noting that the United States has been instrumental in the fight against drug trafficking through the Caribbean. Ambassador Ourisman said the United States will “continue to dialogue with Caribbean countries” to determine their security needs. “We want to work with these countries to ensure we provide assistance that fits with your needs. We do want to provide the training and resources from the perspective of the needs of Caribbean governments,” the Ambassador said. The Ambassador said Caribbean governments will have an opportunity to interact with the new United States administration on their individual security requirements when President Barack Obama attends the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April. The Ambassador pointed to the arrival in Barbados of the USS Swift, a high-tech training ship, that will provide opportunities for member countries of the Regional Security System to be trained in various areas of fighting crime, as further commitment to US support for the region. The ship will be in Barbados in January and March of 2009. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS