Grenada is to receive a $4.5 million cash injection from the European Union under a special programme to help countries worst affected by the global financial crisis.

The funds are part of a $340 million package earmarked for 19 African Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Grenada's Finance Minister Nazim Burke says the money will be used for recurrent expenditure and capital projects.

Mr Burke added that St George's request was approved because the government has put in place the necessary financial management structures.

Antigua and Haiti have also applied for assistance from the fund but their requests are yet to be approved.

New areas of development

A study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has called for the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to seek new areas for future development.

The study says the global financial crisis has affected Caribbean trade, particularly domestic income, because of the region's high dependence on foreign markets.

The document warned that Caribbean exports are concentrated in a few goods and tourism services which it says increase the region's vulnerability to external shock.

ECLAC is therefore recommending - among other things - diversification of exports, and enhancing intra and extra-regional cooperation efforts.

Bouterse dismisses conviction

	Mr Bouterse has accused the Netherlands of tarnishing his image

Suriname's leader Desi Bouterse has dismissed an 11-year drug conviction in the Netherlands as 'almost a joke'.

He made the comments after meeting with his Guyanese counterpart President Bharrat Jagdeo in Guyana's capital, Georgetown, on Monday.

President Bouterse has also accused the Netherlands of tarnishing his image in the Caribbean.

In addition to his drug convictions, the former military leader has been charged with the deaths of fifteen prominent citizens in 1982.

Amsterdam suspended relations with Paramaribo last month following the President's swearing-in.

Belize police investigate murder

Police in Belize are reporting that the brother of the deputy leader of the opposition, who died on Saturday, was murdered.

The body of 47-year-old Carlos Espat was discovered in a bathtub at his family home.

On Monday evening, lawmen updated the case from sudden death to a murder investigation.

According to police spokesman, Sergeant Fitzroy Yearwood, police pathologist Dr. Hugh Sanchez certified that Mr Espat's death is the result head and chest injuries from a blunt object.

Murder accused in due court

A 55-year-old man is due in court in Grenada on Tuesday, charged with the murder of a businessman.

On Sunday police discovered the dismembered body of Michael Delfish, who was reported missing two weeks ago.

His alleged murderer was arrested and charged late Monday.